People watch as barricades are set up outside an entrance to Wanxia urban village as part of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) control measures in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China August 29, 2022. REUTERS/David Kirton
Shanghai and other major Chinese cities, including Shenzhen and Xian, have increased COVID-19 testing as illnesses rose following a week-long vacation, prompting some local governments to close schools, entertainment venues, and tourist attractions.
Infections have reached their highest level since August this week, owing to increased domestic travel over the National Day “Golden Week” earlier this month.
Authorities reported 2,089 new local infections for Oct. 10, the highest since Aug. 20.
While most of the cases were found in tourist destinations, including scenic spots in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, megacities that are often the source of well-heeled and well-travelled tourists have started to report more cases this week.
China’s financial capital Shanghai, a city of 25 million people, reported 28 new local cases for Oct. 10, the fourth day of double-digit increases.
Authorities reported 2,089 new local infections for Oct. 10, the highest since Aug. 20.
While most of the cases were found in tourist destinations, including scenic spots in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, megacities that are often the source of well-heeled and well-travelled tourists have started to report more cases this week.
China’s financial capital Shanghai, a city of 25 million people, reported 28 new local cases for Oct. 10, the fourth day of double-digit increases.
The expanding web of preventive measures have already ensnared some residents.
Peter Lee, a long-time British expatriate, was out at lunch with his wife and seven-year-old son last week when he was suddenly notified his apartment block was to be locked down for 48 hours.
Lee and his son checked into a hotel, which was then also locked down due to a prior visit by a virus carrier. Lee’s wife, who was planning to join them, had no choice but returned home to be locked in, and then had her lockdown extended.
Father and son are due to be released on Thursday, while Lee’s wife won’t be released until Sunday.
“It might be that we say, we miss home and we miss mum too much and maybe we just go home and just deal with it, but we also lose another weekend then,” Lee told Reuters.
“We’re monitoring the situation because it seems like Shanghai is gradually shutting down anyway and if everything starts to close then there won’t be much benefit in being able to come and go.”