BEIJING, Nov 9 (Reuters) – Millions of residents of China’s southern manufacturing hub of Guangzhou were told on Wednesday to get tested for COVID-19, as infections topped two thousand for two days running in the city’s worst outbreak so far.
As local cases across China reached their highest level since April 30, authorities announced on social media that five districts representing more than half Guangzhou’s population of almost 19 million would need to undergo mass testing.
The latest round of mass testing in Guangzhou comes as China battles a rebound in infections in several economically vital cities, including the capital Beijing, as well as Zhengzhou and Chongqing, which have dampened hopes that the world’s second-largest economy could ease curbs and restrictions soon.
Authorities are determined to get on top of the outbreaks and make good on President Xi Jinping’s zero-COVID policy, without having to impose mass lockdowns of the sort that shut Shanghai earlier this year.
The districts in Guangzhou subject to mass testing this week include Haizhu, which has seen the bulk of the city’s cases. A district-wide lockdown from Saturday to Monday has been extended to Friday as cases rise.
My residential compound in Tianhe (district) has been locked up since yesterday,” said Guangzhou resident Jason Li.
“I was suddenly notified by my compound. Residents were instructed not to leave our building.”
Li said he hadn’t been told for how long his compound would be locked up.
“Thank god I’ve stocked up on groceries recently,” he said.
”READ FULL ARTICLE: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-guangzhou-city-brings-back-mass-testing-fight-worst-covid-outbreak-2022-11-09/
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