Shenzhen, China, has lifted the citywide lockdown, stating that situation is 'under control'
Key Takeaways:
- The city of Shenzhen in China has lifted a week-long curfew, though some restrictions remain, as the coronavirus outbreak is 'coming under control,' according to city officials.
- China reported the first Covid-19 deaths since January 2021 on Friday, as the highly contagious omicron variant spreads throughout the country.
The Chinese city of Shenzhen has lifted a week-long curfew - though some restrictions remain - as city officials claim the coronavirus outbreak is 'coming under control.' According to Bloomberg, the Shenzhen administration stated in a notice posted on WeChat (a Chinese messaging service) on Sunday that "while the city's Covid situation remains grim, the spread within the community has slowed and is, overall, controllable."
According to the notice, city officials will allow the govt agencies and businesses to resume normal operations and production, as well as citywide bus and subway services.
Factories will be able to resume operations as well. Shenzhen is home to some of China's largest corporations, including Huawei, the telecom giant.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, the notice comes after three rounds of citywide testing and is effective from March 21 to 27.
Shenzhen, a finance and technology hub with nearly 18 million people near Hong Kong, where cases have risen, was shut down eight days ago after China reported a surge in Covid cases caused by the highly transmissible omicron variant.
Businesses (except those supplying emergency services) were closed, as were all bus and subway systems, and people should be encouraged to work from home.
Although China's overall case numbers are low compared to other Southeast Asian countries, the Xi Jinping govt's 'zero-tolerance policy has resulted in swift measures to contain potential outbreaks, including the closure of major cities such as Shenzhen and Shanghai.
On Sunday, the Chinese mainland reported 2,027 fresh cases, up from 1,737.
According to XI Jinping, China will "seek to minimize economic and social disruption" as a result of its "Covid zero" policy.
As the highly contagious omicron variant spreads throughout China, China reported the first-ever Covid-19 deaths since January 2021 on Friday. The deaths were reported in Jilin, as per the National Health Commission.
Despite the resurgence of the pandemic, Covid-19-related deaths have decreased by a fifth globally; AFP reports that the average number of daily infections has increased by 12% globally in a week.