More Chinese Cities Force Curbs As Cases Nudge Higher

Shanghai reported a record number of symptomatic Covid-19 cases on Saturday, as other areas across China imposed restrictions in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.

The Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone, manufacturing area in central China that hosts Apple supplier Foxconn, announced a 14-day lockdown on Friday "to be adjusted according to the epidemic situation".

In northwestern China, the city of Xian on Friday urged residents to avoid unncessary trips outside their residential compounds and encouraged companies to have employees work from home or else live at their workplace, following dozens of Covid-19 infections this month.

A Xian government official, responding to residents' concerns over potential food shortages, said on Saturday that the announcement did not constitute a lockdown and that the city would not impose one.

Shanghai, at the centre of the recent outbreak, on Saturday reported a record 3,590 symptomatic cases for Friday, as well as 19,923 asymptomatic case, up slightly from 19,872 cases a day earlier.

The city's case tally makes up the vast majority of cases nationwide, even as most of its 25 million residents remain under lockdown.

According to data reported by the National Health Commission on Saturday, there were 24,791 new cases across the mainland on Friday, 3,896 of them symptomatic. That compared to 24,268 new cases, including 3,486 symptomatic cases, a day earlier.

The city of Suzhou, near Shanghai, said on Saturday that all employees capable of working from home must do so, and that residential compounds and company campuses should stop unnecessary entry of people and vehicles. It has reported more than 500 infections in the latest outbreak.

At the Zhengzhou facility, only personnel with valid passes, health codes and proof of negative Covid-19 tests will be able to leave the zone during the period, although "special vehicles" will be able to travel normally for work reasons, economic zone authorities said in a post on an official WeChat instant messaging account. (Reuters)

Last updated: 2022-04-16 HKT 15:11