Beijing: Chinese cities imposed new lockdowns and travel restrictions after the number of new daily COVID-19 cases tripled during a week-long holiday, ahead of a Communist Party primary assembly in Beijing next week. The most recent lockdown began Monday in the city of Fenyang. in northern China’s Shanxi province after an initial positive case was discovered in city-wide tests the day before, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
In neighboring Inner Mongolia, the capital, Hohhot, announced that vehicles and passengers would be banned from entering the open air starting Tuesday. Hohhot recorded more than 2,000 cases over about 12 days.
China is one of the few places in the world that still uses tough measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The long-standing Communist Party is involved, as it tries to provide a positive symbol of the country before a party congress each. and every five years starting on Sunday.
Travel rejected the annual National Day holiday that began Oct. 1, and the government discouraged others from leaving their cities and provinces.
Leaders don’t need a primary outbreak to cast a veil over Congress, but their strict “zero-COVID” technique has had an economic impact, especially on small businesses and transient workers. Many in China hope that pandemic politics will calm down after the meeting.
Outbreaks have been reported across the country, with the largest in Inner Mongolia and the western region of Xinjiang. Both are recording several hundred new cases per day.
Shanghai, where citizens suffered prolonged lockdowns this year, and the national capital, Beijing, have had a small but developing number of cases. On Monday, two districts in Shanghai announced the closure of cinemas and entertainment venues.
Queuing several times a week for a loose virus check is the norm for many Chinese, Beijing and other cities that require a negative check result within 72 hours to enter parks, office buildings, department stores and other public places.