China imposes strict lockdown rules on millions of people in northeast amid COVID surge

As COVID-19 cases continue to explode in China, Chinese administration had imposed stay at home orders on millions more people in country’s rast provinces.

After placing stringent lockdown restrictions on over 5 million people as it recorded  largest surge in COVID cases after initial outbreak of pandemic in Wuhan two years ago. Controlling virus' initial breakout in 2020 with targeted lockdowns, mass testing, and travel restrictions, country has mainly kept illness at bay.  However, this time around with reported spread of 'stealth Omicron' variant, country's COVID curve is rising exponentially. Recently, China confirmed its two virus-related deaths in more than a year.

China reports two COVID related deaths after two years amid intense COVID flare-up

According to China's national health commission, two deaths occurred in rastern region of Jilin. Jilin's 24 million citizens were barred from leaving province or travelling between cities this week due to an increase in number of cases re. 

Xi Jinping administration has been obliged to reimpose lockdown on COVID-19 hotspots amid intense outbreaks. According to media reports, lockdowns have been imposed in as many as 19 Chinese provinces. recent surge of asymptomatic cases has prompted shutdown of schools in Shanghai and or Chinese cities in rth-east. Since March 1, Changchun, a city of nine million people, has been under unprecedented lockdown. 

Stringent Restrictions imposed to control furr spread of COVID 

Apart from schools, restaurants, malls, or public locations in China have also been subjected to restrictions. Malls and businesses in Shanghai, China's most populated metropolis and global financial centre, were also suspended. 

Furrmore, following tightened restrictions in some areas of Shanghai, locals became infuriated, who was already irritated by government's lack of sensitivity. On March 14, a video was broadcast on a Chinese Twitter account that showed Shanghai people being trapped in a certain area, using a megaphone to voice ir concerns, ANI reported. 

China’s worsening COVID situation surfaced when hundreds of people were seen in Shenzhen, China's sourn city, waiting in massive queues to get tested for coronavirus. Videos of individuals waiting in long lines for ir turn to undertake mandatory coronavirus testing appeared on social media. Adults were asked to do three PCR tests, while n-essential staff were told to stay at home, according to ANI. 

Im: AP