Thousands are being tested in Beijing as a result of the country’s zero-Covid strategy.
(Photo: dpa)
Beijing In Beijing, millions of people have to be tested for the virus after a corona outbreak in a popular bar. A three-day test campaign among the approximately 3.5 million residents in the inner-city district of Chaoyang started on Monday. Queues more than 100 meters long formed at some test stations.
Authorities imposed lockdowns on blocks of flats where around 10,000 identified contacts of guests at the Heaven Supermarket Bar live. The pub, a large 24-hour self-service shop with tables, chairs, and sofas, is known for cheap liquor and draws many visitors. The bar and surrounding shops have been cordoned off.
Like many other restaurants, the “Heaven Supermarket Bar” only reopened last week after the relaxation of corona measures. Shortly thereafter, the origin of 200 infections was traced to the bar. The authorities speak of a “wild and explosive” corona outbreak.
Infected people live or work in 14 of Beijing’s 16 districts. For the 22 million inhabitants of the Chinese capital, anti-Covid measures were lifted just a week ago, during which shopping centers were closed, bus and train lines were shut down and people were asked to work from home.
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Lockdowns in China can lead to bottlenecks in Germany
According to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, the Chinese government’s zero-Covid strategy remains a risk for the German economy: “Although there have recently been far-reaching easing in Shanghai,” says the monthly report published on Monday. “But if lockdowns of this magnitude should occur again in China, worsening supply bottlenecks and a further slowdown in world trade cannot be ruled out.”
This should also be felt in Germany. Because China is by far the most important German trading partner. “Despite the easing in Shanghai at the end of May, there could still be bottlenecks in Germany with a delay,” the ministry warned.
More: Shanghai orders tests for 15 million people – panic buying out of fear of new lockdown