The 13 million inhabitants of the Chinese city of Xi’an are currently in a lockdown for the 7th day, with many not being allowed to leave their homes and relying on the distribution of the necessary supplies, as the new COVID-19 infections persist.
Xi’an recorded 151 localized infections with confirmed symptoms yesterday, or almost a total of 152 cases nationwide, bringing the total number of local cases in Xi’an to nearly 1,000 between December 9-28. No incidents of the Omicron variant have been reported in the city so far.
While the outbreak in Xi’an is small compared to the outbreaks in many other parts of the world, authorities have imposed strict restrictions on travel in and out of the city since December 23, in line with Beijing’s policy of limiting an outbreak immediately.
Residents of the city are not allowed to leave it without the permission of their employers or community authorities.
A 32-year-old engineer went to Xi’an for business and planned to leave last week, until he discovered he had to stay there for much longer as local officials refused to give him the necessary certification to allow him to leave. This means that he lost his wife’s birthday and may have to spend the New Year in Xi’an. “I just want to go home,” he told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
As of Monday, the Xi’an government has suspended the issuance of permits to those who want to leave their homes to obtain essentials. According to the city authorities, purchases in physical stores may be allowed again in lower risk areas if mass diagnostic tests show negative results, but it is not specified when the measure of compulsory stay at home will be lifted.
The measure has sparked complaints on social media from some residents as it is uncertain when they will be able to get fresh produce.
Local authorities in several areas of Xi’an have begun planning to distribute supplies to residents’ homes, or to set up temporary kiosks in large residential complexes selling fresh produce.
Authorities today launched another round of diagnostic tests across the city, the fifth since December 21st. The number of infections detected by the mass tests began to decline in the fourth cycle, while the numbers in the first three were increased, a local official said today.
Source: AMPE
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Source From: Capital
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