Beijing, the capital of China, has reportedly stepped-up efforts to curb Covid, increasing public accountability and locking down several residential places after the number of cases has become four times recently, just as a crucial Communist party session has begun.
The city of 21 million population reported 18 more locally transmitted infections on Thursday, increasing the tally for the previous 10 days to 197. This data outweighed the 49 cases discovered in the previous 10 days by almost four times.
Despite the relatively small number of cases compared to other nations, the zero-Covid policy in China has forced authorities in the capital to take more precautions, especially as the Communist party carries its once-in-every-five-year congress, during which, President Xi Jinping is expected to become the leader for the third time.
The health board in Beijing urged more rigorous screening of high-risk individuals as well as tighter checks for people entering crowded places such as gyms and supermarkets.
Several residential areas with reported cases were placed under three-day lockdowns which can be extended if new cases arise.
Despite growing public discontent and harming its economy, China has pledged to continue its zero-Covid policy, putting an end to suggestions that it might soon relax its strict position.
China’s strict zero-Covid policy that has kept it isolated from a world that is progressively trying to resume life as it was before the outbreak was defended by Xi in his speech to congress on Sunday. The uncompromising strategy, according to Xi, puts people's lives above all else.
This Monday, Shanghai, one of many Chinese cities dealing with Covid infections, announced plans to construct a 3,250-bed quarantine center on a small island near the city center.
After thousands of cases were detected, the 25 million-people city was placed under an extended lockdown from April to May.
Similar quarantine facilities are there in other large cities like Beijing and Guangzhou. Furthermore, they regularly engage in public testing.
Source credit: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/20/beijing-steps-up-covid-measures-as-cases-quadruple-during-key-ccp-congress-meeting