The Chengdu megalopolis announced the new lockdown after a scorching heat wave and repeated power outages. Also massive tests in Chongqing and Shenzhen. A web user who anticipated the restrictions earlier this week was arrested for “creating a disturbance”.
Rome () – Millions of Chinese are once again in lockdown due to Covid-19. The authorities of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, ordered the population to remain in quarantine at home from September 1, and announced that mass swabs will be carried out until September 4. One person per family can purchase food and necessities with a negative test within the previous 24 hours.
The sanitary measures imply the total closure of the city, which has more than 20 million inhabitants. It is the largest lockdown since Shanghai in April, when the megalopolis was placed under total quarantine for two months.
It is not yet clear if the local authorities will lift the restrictions after September 4. Shanghai has repeatedly extended the lockdown because authorities failed to control the spread of the virus. Due to criticism, Chinese officials avoid talking about “lockdown” in official communications and suggest people “stay at home.”
When the lockdown was announced, more than 70% of flights at Chengdu airports were cancelled. Yesterday, more than 2,000 new infections were registered in China, of which 137 were in Chengdu.
In recent days, the increase in infections caused concern in the local population. On August 29, a user of the website, “Tropical Rainforest”, had warned about the possibility of a confinement; The Chinese blogosphere then shared the message causing a huge influx of people to supermarkets to buy groceries. Chengdu police detained the netizen for 15 days; he is accused of “causing panic in the neighbours” by posting it and “creating problems for epidemic prevention and control”. The local government claims that there was no need to store food and essential items.
In Chongqing, another megacity in southwestern China, more than 10 million people were forced to undergo swab tests during the scorching heat wave in late August. Many residents lined up to get tested at midnight to avoid the heat. Temperatures in southwest China hit record highs this summer, with Chongqing recording a high of 45 degrees Celsius for the first time.
The prolonged heat wave and drought that have hit southwestern China have caused severe power shortages due to low water levels in hydroelectric dams and the use of air conditioners. The authorities have imposed limits on the use of electricity in factories to ensure supply to families. The limitations have forced many factories in the region to suspend their activities.
In Shenzhen, the economic center of southern China, the government has intensified health measures due to the growing number of infections. City authorities shut down performance halls and canceled or postponed various exhibitions and trade shows. Companies have complained that they were notified just hours before the opening of the fairs, which has led to huge losses.
Despite the severe impact on the economy, the Chinese government has not renounced the “zero covid” policy imposed by Xi Jinping. The Politburo, the top decision-making body of the Communist Party of China, has hinted that the 5.5% annual growth target will not be met. However, the government continues to censor speeches that criticize the regime’s health policy before the 20th Party Congress.
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