Even if the number of infections is comparatively low, China is again massively restricting life in several cities. In Wuhan alone, 20 infections per day are followed by the lockdown for 800,000 people. The sealing off of economically important regions could also affect the German economy.
Rising corona infections have triggered a new wave of lockdowns in China. From Wuhan in central China to Xining in the northwest, neighborhoods with millions of residents have been locked down to stop the spread of the virus. Authorities reported more than 1,000 new Covid cases for the third straight day – a low number by international standards, but enough to trigger new bans and restrictions across the country.
Guangzhou, the country’s fourth-largest city in terms of economic output, is one of the municipalities affected. Other streets and parts of the city were cordoned off there, and people were not allowed to leave their homes. The reason: New areas were classified as high-risk areas. “Many of my friends and colleagues are locked at home,” said Lily Li from Guangzhou. The situation is unstable. “Classes have been suspended and entertainment has also been suspended,” Li said. “The gym I go to often has also been closed.”
More or less strict lockdowns were already in force in 28 cities at the beginning of the week. According to analysts at financial institution Nomura, around 207.7 million people were affected in regions that generate around 25.6 trillion yuan (around 3.5 trillion euros), or around a quarter of China’s gross domestic product.
In Wuhan, where the world’s first corona outbreak was detected at the end of 2019, around 20 to 25 new infections are reported every day this week. That has prompted authorities to order more than 800,000 people in one neighborhood to stay home until Sunday. “I don’t know what to do,” said a 38-year-old Wuhan resident surnamed Chang. “We feel numb about it all. We feel more and more jaded.”
In Wuhan, pork sales have also been suspended in parts of the city, according to images and posts on social media. A corona case had previously been identified, which the authorities said was linked to the local pork supply chain.
In Xining, capital of Qinghai province, food shortages and soaring prices of essential goods have been reported on social media. “In order to reduce the risk of transmission, some vegetable and fruit shops have been closed and quarantined,” said a Xining government official.
The lockdown wave could also have consequences for the German economy. China has been their most important trading partner since 2016: goods worth 245.4 billion euros were traded between the two countries last year alone.