Shanghai will re-detain 2.7 million residents

Shanghai announced on Thursday that it would limit the district, which has a population of 2.7 million, on Saturday to test the entire population there, despite deactivating the Chinese metropolis that opened a few days ago.

Last week the city lifted most of its restrictions on its 25 million residents, who have been restricted since early April to address the spread of COVID-19 – the most viral virus since 2020.

But the detention is not total: millions of people have been confined to their residential areas due to the detection of positive cases.

Local authorities announced on the WeChat social network that the Minhang district in southwest Shanghai would be locked up Saturday morning and that its residents would have to undergo a PCR test.

“The closure will be lifted once the samples are collected,” they said, without specifying a specific date or time, or taking any action in case positive cases are found.

Under the Zero Kovid National Health Strategy, all those tested positively were placed in quarantine in theory.

Thursday’s announcement sparked Internet users’ concern about the city’s general reconstruction.

“Will the (Minhong) District Lockdown really be lifted after samples are collected?” Weibo asks the social network user. “What happens if there are positive results? Will control continue? Another worries.

City Hall on Thursday denied rumors that the rest of Shanghai would be locked again.

The embargo has dealt a severe blow to the economy, but in a matter of days the metropolis is coming to life again. Subways and buses are running again, enjoying the restaurants, bars and parks of the Shanghai city.

However, some residents are still at home, which sometimes causes tension with authorities.

The Ministry of Health on Thursday reported nine new positive cases in Shanghai.

The Chinese capital, Beijing, is slowly returning to normal after the closure of restaurants, bars, gyms and parks last month to stem the tide of the epidemic – but much smaller than in Shanghai.

Chaang, the city’s main district, however, ordered the closure of clubs and bars on Thursday after some cases were discovered, state media reported.