A week before the Winter Olympics, China quietly locks down a region near Beijing
Key Takeaways:
- Chinese authorities closed a neighborhood near Beijing this week after numerous Covid cases were reported.
- According to them, the restrictions took effect on Tuesday, the same day that authorities in another district announced the discovery of five confirmed coronavirus infections.
Following many reported Covid cases, Chinese authorities closed a neighborhood near Beijing this week. Still, they made no public announcements about the new restrictions with only a week until the Winter Olympics.
On Friday, local virus prevention staff affirmed to AFP that around 1.2 million people in Xiong'an New Area — a new economic zone 100 kms southwest of Beijing — are no longer allowed to enter or leave their residential compounds.
While state media have widely reported recent Chinese lockdowns, the Xiong'an limitations appear to have been implemented quietly, with no public announcements, leading to confusion among some locals.
Virus prevention staff in Xiong County, one of 3 counties in the area, stated, "We predict this (lockdown) to last almost a week a week, but the exact timing is uncertain."
The restrictions went into effect on Tuesday, they said, the same day authorities in another district announced the discovery of five confirmed coronavirus infections.
With the Winter Olympics starting next week, Chinese authorities have been rushing to put an end to flare-ups in several major cities, including Beijing.
In recent weeks, cities including Xi'an and Anyang have been under strict lockdowns, with residents restricted to their homes until multiple rounds of mass testing have been completed as well as the outbreak has been contained.
Some users on Weibo, China's version of Twitter, were seen questioning more information about the limitations, while others questioned their scope.
"Is there a need for this? Why aren't we allowed to return home if the area is considered low-risk? Don't end up making it a one-size-fits-all situation. "This week, a Weibo user said.
"I don't consider I'll be able to go home for the Lunar New Year," another stated on Thursday.
According to state media, while China has several national-level "New Areas," Xiong'an stands out because President Xi Jinping personally designated its location.
China, where the coronavirus first appeared, has implemented a strict "zero-Covid" strategy that includes targeted lockdowns, strict border controls, and widespread testing.
Indifference to the rest of the world, its number of cases is insignificant.
A month-long curfew on Xi'an was lifted previously this week after a cluster of more than 2,100 cases — China's biggest outbreak in months — was largely contained.
However, stubborn flare-ups have continued, including Beijing and Tianjin, a nearby port city.
On Friday, China reported 39 domestic Covid cases.
To decrease the risk of infections leaking out, the Winter Olympics will be held in a strict "closed-loop" bubble that isolates everyone involved in the Games from the rest of China's population.