Shanghai authorities worked to allow manufacturers to establish so-called closed-loop systems in their plants that enabled them to continue operating. The remarks echoed sentiments from mid-March, when Xi first urged Chinese officials to reduce the financial impact of Covid-fighting measures. Read More: The Rising Costs of China’s Zero-COVID Policy Xi called for Covid Zero to be adhered to “unwaveringly” in a visit to Sichuan province Thursday, according to the official Xinhua news agency, while stating that it should be achieved in balance with the needs of the economy. Still, President Xi Jinping continues to emphasize the country’s adherence to a policy that has delivered one of the lowest Covid death rates in the world. By having zero tolerance for new cases, the country risks being in a constant loop of imposing and easing restrictions. Most economists say it will be tough for China to meet its annual growth target this year because of lockdowns. While the latest curbs may lift in as little as a few hours if no new infections are found, two more weeks of isolation may be imposed for areas where new chains of transmission are uncovered. It led some to flee their apartment complexes and sparked a run on grocery stores after many struggled to get fresh fruits and vegetables in the early days of the original lockdown. The latest moves hit home quickly for residents. HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images China doubles down on Zero-COVID Many other districts are also testing on Saturday, though several didn’t specify the dates or times. Minhang - a mostly residential area - will be sealed on Saturday morning for mass testing, according to a statement. Of the six community cases, four were found in Minhang, a district of 2.65 million in the south west of Shanghai. Some staff in the state-owned salon didn’t conduct daily Covid tests, officials said at a Thursday briefing. Read More: China’s Public Is Divided Over the Zero-COVID Approach Three infections were tied to the beauty salon during the Thursday briefing, including two in employees who live in Minhang, the district that has posted the highest number of recent cases. One of the major clusters is centered on the Red Rose Salon in the Xuhui district, where services were in high demand after it reopened following the lockdown that began at the end of March. The benchmark CSI 300 Index was up 1.2% as of 2:20 p.m. “If it expands into more areas that affect people turning to work, then it will lead to some volatility.” “Investors are watching but there is not much reaction at the moment given its just flare ups,” said Kevin Li, fund manager at GF Asset Management (Hong Kong) Ltd. RAY YOUNG/ Feature China/Future Publishing via Getty Images The renewed restrictions aren’t yet having a significant impact on the financial markets. and Tesla Inc., with the electric-car maker only now normalizing operations at its factory in southern Shanghai. The disruption wrought by pandemic curbs have impacted production at companies like Sony Group Corp. The return to lockdowns in Shanghai underscores the difficulties of China’s attempts to eliminate the virus while the rest of the world accepts it as endemic. There were 5 additional infections found among people in quarantine on Thursday, for a total of 11 cases in the financial hub, health officials said. Read More: Shanghai’s COVID-19 Lockdown Pushes Residents to the Brink Residents will be released after taking the tests, but they’ll be back under lockdown if new infections are found in their compounds. The latest move follows a rebound in infections within the community to six on Thursday, up from zero the day before. The quick escalation reflects the worry that continues to shroud Shanghai, which implemented one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in late March after a sluggish initial response to its outbreak.
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