China: This is where the corona pandemic began, and this is where it is being fought the hardest.
For a long time, Corona seemed to have been defeated thanks to ultra-strict measures, the country is largely isolated from abroad, there are test rules and long quarantine times for travelers.
But now the northern Chinese metropolis of 13 million Xi’an has reported 52 new corona cases. There were 81 new infections across China – the Chinese authorities not counting asymptomatic cases.
The reaction of the Chinese authorities to this: an ultra-hard lockdown!
The dictatorship makes it possible:
▶ ︎ Xi’an, the tourist city with world-famous sights (bell tower, 2000 year old terracotta army of the first Chinese emperor) is sealed off from the outside.
Means: Flights are canceled, bus stations are closed, Corona checkpoints are to be set up on the streets out of the city. Only those who have been approved for a “necessary” trip due to “special circumstances” are allowed out.
Foto: picture alliance / United Archives
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/auch-das-museum-mit-der-2000-jahre-alten-soldaten-armee-aus-terracotta-hat-jetzt-zu- 9c4e5374180c4f9fb2a5704efb125191-78634004 / image / 6.image.jpg “/> The museum with the 2000 year old terracotta army is now also closedFoto: picture alliance / United Archives
▶ ︎ The city’s 13 million inhabitants have to stay at home. The schools as well as all businesses and services that are not absolutely necessary for daily life are closed.
▶ ︎ Shopping? This is only allowed every two days, and only to one appointed member of each family.
The authorities organize mass tests. Even without the new lockdown, the following applies almost everywhere in China: If you want to go home to your neighborhood, you have to check in with the state health app using a QR code on your mobile phone
Foto: STRINGER/VIA REUTERS
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/am-glockenturm-in-der-altstadt-haben-die-menschen-fuer-massentests-an-21-dezember-5574c22b16b743ba9e52f830b4a85c1e-78634018/ Image / 6.bild.jpg “/> People stand in line for mass tests at the bell tower in the old town (December 21)Foto: STRINGER/VIA REUTERS
No special treatment for party officials: The Central Disciplinary Commission in Xi’an has sanctioned 26 party members for “insufficient rigor in preventing and controlling the outbreak”. During inspections, a too lax and uncoordinated reaction to the outbreak was found, for example during testing. This hindered contact tracing in the city.
The corona virus was first discovered in China at the end of 2019. After initially many cases, especially in the city of Wuhan, the spread in the People’s Republic could be contained through extremely strict lockdowns in just a few corona cases as well as through border controls and quarantine regulations.
China is expecting several thousand athletes for the Winter Olympics in February. Beijing requires visitors to submit negative corona tests, and the Olympic Village is being sealed off from normal life in China.