Shanghai Disneyland closes amid large-scale COVID-19 flare-up
Shanghai Disneyland closed on Monday as China's most populous city tried to contain its biggest coronavirus flareup in two years, while the southern business centre of Shenzhen allowed shops and offices to reopen after a week-long closure.
Meanwhile, the cities of Changchun and Jilin in the northeast began another round of citywide virus testing following a surge in infections. Jilin tightened anti-disease curbs, ordering its two million residents to stay home.
China’s case numbers in its latest infection wave are low compared with other major countries, but authorities are enforcing a “zero tolerance” strategy that has suspended access to some major cities.
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Disneyland employees gather to wait for their COVID-19 tests at the Shanghai Disney Resort in China. AP
The government reported 2027 new cases on the Chinese mainland on Sunday, up from the previous day’s 1737.
That included 1542 infections in the Jilin province, where Changchun and Jilin are located.
Shanghai, which has a population of 24 million, has avoided a citywide shutdown but authorities appealed to the public to stay home.
Bus services into the city have been suspended and visitors are required to show a negative virus test.
Disney Co. said Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown and Wishing Star Park were closed until further notice.
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A health worker sprays disinfectant as residents get a throat swab at a coronavirus testing site after the Disneyland in Shanghai was closed. AP
On Monday, Shanghai reported more than 750 new cases. The city earlier suspended access to two residential areas and carried out mass testing at dozens of others.
Shanghai residents posted photos on the internet showing empty streets and subways during what usually is a crowded Monday morning rush hour.
The government of Shenzhen, a finance and technology centre that abuts Hong Kong, announced businesses and government offices were allowed to reopen on Monday while authorities took steps to try to prevent a resurgence of virus cases.
Bus and subway services, which had been suspended, were restarted.
Last week, the city of 17.5 million shut down all businesses except those that supply food and other necessities and told the public to stay home following a spike in cases.
Shenzhen is home to some of China's biggest companies including telecom equipment maker Huawei, electric car brand BYD Auto and Tencent, operator of the popular WeChat message service.
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An aerial view shows a construction site for coronavirus isolation facilities and a temporary bridge linking China's Shenzhen and Hong Kong's Lok Ma Chau cities. AP
The shutdowns prompted concern trade might be disrupted if ports near Shanghai and Shenzhen, that are among the world's busiest, are affected.
The Shanghai port moved paperwork functions online but said cargo was moving normally. The smaller port of Lianyungang barred foreign sailors from coming ashore.
The government said last week it was trying to fine-tune anti-disease controls to reduce their economic cost and impact on society.
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Residents line up near a noodle shop along a street for the COVID-19 test at a hospital in Shanghai. AP
Tangshan, a steel industry centre east of Beijing, imposed controls on Sunday that allow only emergency vehicles to move around the city after seven cases were found, state media reported.
Authorities in Beijing were investigating a duck restaurant where four employees contracted the virus.
State media said owners of the Yu Le Xuan restaurant were accused of failing to register the identities of 477 diners as required over five days, making it harder to trace potential contacts.
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