As Beijing saw a rise in cases of coronaviruses, policy makers raced to prevent a similar crisis that has already wreaked havoc on the financial hub.
Concerns that the country's strict adherence to Covid Zero will further damage the economy dragged down stocks to oil and iron Ore on Monday. Beijing residents rushed to stock up on supplies after the government announced mass testing plans and put some areas under curfew.
The city of more than 20 million people and the country's political center have sealed off dozens of residential compounds and told inhabitants of the eastern district of Chaoyang to be tested three times this week after dozens of infections were found over the weekend. The Beijing city government spokesman said late on Friday that the current outbreak is complex and stealthy, while promising to take further measures to prevent its spread.
The Chinese public may have had enough.
As Shanghai reported a record number of deaths, it imposed stricter rules to try and stamp out infections. The outbreak in two of China's most significant cities has become a litmus test for the future of the president, who is likely to seek a third five-year term later this year.
China has defended Covid Zero, saying the policy saves lives and keeps the economy going, even as the strategy threatens to disrupt global supply chains.
The Chinese stock market fell to its lowest level in a year. The price of oil dropped below $100 a barrel.
The central business district and most foreign embassies are located in Beijing, which has already locked down some residential compounds. There are 14 smaller communities that are sealed and another 14 that are controlled and have different levels of movement restrictions.
People who live or work in the area will be tested on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Everyone from white collar workers to young children need a negative result to attend kindergarten.
China is intensifying its confrontation with Covid-19.
Residents are waiting in long lines for tests. Online and brick-and-mortar grocery stores have sold out of basics like masks and antiseptic.
The residents of the capital are worried about a repeat of the crisis that caused people to be unable to access food or medical care. Fresh vegetables are being delivered to parts of Beijing that have had positive cases. Local media reported that grocery delivery apps have increased manpower by as much as 70% to help sort mounting orders and race to deliver them to people on the same day.
Despite mass isolation, testing and lockdowns, cases in the community continue to crop up, with officials ramping up containment efforts. Residents who have been stuck in their homes for weeks because of positive cases were angry over the weekend when fences were put in to seal buildings where positive cases have been found.
The epicenter of China's worst outbreak in more than two years is the financial hub. It reported 51 deaths on Sunday, mostly elderly people. There are more than 200 patients in severe condition.
In China, there is a practice of Separating children from parents.
China has dispatched a total of nine medical teams to step up treatment of severe cases in designated hospitals. The teams are made up of experts with intensive care experience.
On Sunday, there were 19,455 new cases in the city. The government still hasn't reached its goal of eliminating spread in communities despite daily infections being on a downward trend.
Ishika Mookerjee, Jessica Sui, Ishika Mookerjee, Ishika Lyu, Ishika Li, Gao Yuan, and Ocean Hou assisted.
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