Many residents of the city of 26 million have been confined to their homes for up to three weeks, as China maintains a “zero COVID” strategy for handling outbreaks with severe isolation and mass testing. But people living below the barrier have described an increasingly desperate situation, with families unable to leave their homes or get food and daily necessities, while people who test positive for the coronavirus have been forced into shelters. mass quarantine where conditions are at times crowded. and unhealthy. Authorities said Tuesday that another 23,342 people in Shanghai tested positive for the virus the day before, just 994 of whom showed symptoms. The total number of infections has exceeded 200,000 in the last wave, although no additional deaths have been reported. The State Department said the order, announced late Monday, was an upgrade from the “authorized” advisory departure last week that made the decision voluntary. The mandate covers non-temporary US government employees at the consulate in Shanghai and their family members. Consular officers will remain on duty at the consulate. “The change in our attitude reflects our appreciation that it is better for our employees and their families to be reduced in number and our activities to be reduced as we face changing conditions on the ground,” the statement said. The State Department also issued a series of tips for Americans in Shanghai, including ensuring they have “an adequate supply of money, medicine, food and other necessities for your family in the event of sudden restrictions or quarantine.” The Chinese government and wholly state-controlled media are becoming increasingly defensive over allegations of COVID-19 prevention measures. Beijing responded angrily to last week’s voluntary withdrawal, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian saying China was “strongly dissatisfied and strongly opposed to the US’s baseless accusation against the outbreak.” In the announcement, the State Department advised Americans to reconsider their trip to China due to “arbitrary enforcement” of local laws and restrictions on COVID-19, particularly in Hong Kong, Jilin Province and Shanghai. U.S. officials said there was a risk of “separation of parents and children.” Yet, despite indications that hardline policy is being dictated by the leader of the ruling Communist Party, Xi Jinping, China has rejected any idea that its response is political in nature. Xi has called for social stability ahead of a key party congress later this year, in which he is expected to run for an unprecedented third term as party leader. Shanghai authorities also say they have secured daily supplies for residents, following complaints about food deliveries and other necessities that are not available or in short supply. Shanghai says it will gradually lift some restrictions in neighborhoods where no new infections have been reported in the past two weeks. Residents will be able to travel to their neighborhoods but will not meet in groups. Others will be confined to their immediate neighborhoods.
