Shanghai To Start Lockdown, Testing On Monday

City officials in Shanghai have announced that they'll hold separate lockdown and testing operations for the financial hub's east and west sides for nine days, starting on Monday.

The city has become the centre of the mainland's Omicron wave, reporting 2,631 asymptomatic infections on Sunday, taking the total number of infections past 10,000 in recent weeks.

In an announcement on Sunday evening, the Shanghai government said the Huang River would serve as the dividing line with the eastern portion, containing the Pudong financial hub, being tested first from 5am on Monday. The lockdown is scheduled to conclude at 5am on Friday.

At 3am on Friday, lockdown and testing will begin in areas west of the river, known as Puxi. Testing there will conclude on April 5.

Residents will have to stay home while their area is locked down, and public transport will cease to function. People and vehicles will be allowed to enter the affected areas but won't be allowed to leave.

Essential services, including delivery, will continue.

"The public is asked to support, understand and cooperate with the city's epidemic prevention and control work, and participate in nucleic acid testing in an orderly manner," the government added.

More than 14 million Shanghai residents have taken antigen tests, the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission said on Sunday.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange said on Sunday it would work to maintain the steady operation of capital markets during this "special" virus control period.

The bourse will continue to vet share sale plans by companies seeking to list on the tech-focused STAR Market, strengthen online communications with issuers and underwriters, and offer free services for virtual debut ceremonies, it said.

The exchange will also allow listed companies to delay filings of their quarterly or annual reports if they're affected by the pandemic restrictions and will fast-track bond issuance approvals for virus-hit companies, it added. (RTHK/Reuters)