New Infection Cases Reach 25.000, Shanghai Authority Imposes Sanctions On Violators Of COVID-19 Lockdown

Ilustrasi tes COVID-19 massal di Shanghai. (Wikimedia Commons/China News)

JAKARTA - The authorities of Shanghai, China warned its citizens sternly about the punishment for violators of the COVID-19 lockdown, as new daily infection cases reached more than 25.000.

The city's police department outlined the restrictions most of its 25 million residents face, calling on them to "fight the epidemic with one heart and work together for an early victory".

"Those who violate the provisions of this notification will be dealt with in accordance with the law by the public security organs. If it constitutes a crime, they will be investigated according to law," the department said in an April 13 statement.

Shanghai has been under immense pressure to try to contain China's biggest COVID-19 outbreak, since the coronavirus was first discovered in the city of Wuhan, some 800 km (500 miles) to the west, in late 2019, cited from Reuters, April 13.

Shanghai police also banned cars from passing, other than those involved in epidemic prevention work or transporting people who need emergency medical care.

They also warn increasingly frustrated citizens, millions of whom are confined to their homes and struggling to get daily supplies, not to spread false information or falsify road permits or other permit certificates.

Banners advising COVID-19 protocols to wear masks, always wash hands, check body temperature and avoid crowds in Shanghai (Wikimedia Commons/Shwangtianyuan)

Shanghai reported 25,141 new asymptomatic coronavirus cases on Tuesday, up from 22.348 the day before. Meanwhile, symptomatic cases also jumped to 1.189 from 994, city authorities said.

Shanghai's COVID-19 measures, which reflect China's strict 'zero-COVID' approach aimed at eliminating chains of contagion, have resonated across the global economy, with analysts warning that they are not only hurting tourism and hospitality, but also impacting chains. cross-sector supply.

"The widespread lockdowns and stricter zero-COVID restrictions in several cities around Shanghai, have led to significant supply disruptions with transport and logistics under heavy pressure," Barclays Bank economist Jian Chang said in a note.

Chang said economic and supply pressures "have likely accelerated the transition to a gradual and cautious existence from COVID-19".

Separately, media group Caixin reported Shanghai was one of eight cities involved in a pilot scheme launched on Monday to lower the centralized quarantine requirement from 14 to 10 days, citing a government plan set out in a document that has yet to be officially published. The relevant authorities were not immediately available for comment on the report.