Officials erect barricades in Beijing
(Picture: REUTERS)The Chinese capital has closed over 60 underground train stations in a bid to stop the spread of Covid.
In line with the government’s zero-Covid plan, approximately 15 per cent of the network and around 150 bus routes have been closed in the city.
The city is home to 22 million people and has already closed off gyms, restaurants, schools and entertainment venues.
Amid fears of a Shanghai-style lockdown, government officials have also been pictured erecting barricades in the city in order to stop residents leaving buildings.
While Beijing only reported 51 new Covid cases on Wednesday, residents must undergo three tests a week while the city’s mass isolation centre has now reopened.
The Xiaotangshan Hospital, which was built in 2003 for treating SARS patients and was used in 2020 to treat patients in the early part of the pandemic.
Twelve out of 16 Beijing districts will carry out a further three rounds of Covid tests between May 3-5, following three previous rounds of screening last week.
Of the 5,489 cases reported in China, 4,982 were reported in Shanghai, where the city has been under a strict lockdown since March.
Although the lockdown in Shanghai has begun to be lifted, many residents remain unable to leave their homes.
The central city of Zhengzhou also announced movement restrictions from May 4-10 despite just reporting 50 cases on Wednesday.
Prior to the measures, citizens of the 10 million strong city were seen rushing to stockpile goods and other essentials on social media.
Due to the restrictions in China, the country’s economy has begun to slow with Xi Jinping announcing on Tuesday, new infrastructure spending to promote growth.
