Authorities in Beijing are now working to curb the COVID-19 outbreak associated with a 24-hour bar known for its cheap alcohol and crowds of customers, with millions of people taking mandatory tests and thousands more targeting lockdowns. .
The nearly 200 outbreak is linked to the Heaven Supermarket Bar, which had just reopened as restrictions in Beijing eased last week, reflecting how difficult it will be for China to make its zero-sum COVID policy successful. part of the rest of the world is learning to live with the virus.
The resurgence of COVID cases is also raising new concerns about the prospects of the world’s second largest economy. China has just managed to escape the heavy blow caused by the two-month lockdown of Shanghai, the country’s most populous city and key shopping mall, which caused cracks in global supply chains.
On June 6, Beijing’s restaurants resumed accepting seated customers, more than a month after various COVID restrictions were imposed on the city of 22 million people. Many malls, gyms and other venues were closed, part of the city’s public transport network was suspended and millions of people were teleworked.
“Now we have to test every day. It’s a little noisy, but it’s necessary,” said Chao, 21, who works at a grocery store in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, where the latest coronavirus outbreak has been identified. “The situation with the virus has affected our work a little, there is a reduction of about 20-30%.”
A three-day process of mass diagnostic tests for the approximately 3.5 million inhabitants began in Chaoyang today. So far, about 10,000 close contacts of the bar patrons have been identified and the bands in which they live have been put on lockdown, while the scheduled reopening of some school units in the area has been postponed.
Queues at some test sites were now more than 100 meters high, according to eyewitnesses told Reuters. Metal roadblocks have been set up around many apartment complexes, while officers in protective uniforms sprayed disinfectant in the surrounding areas.
Last week, as restaurant restrictions eased, the Heaven Supermarket Bar, a large self-service liquor store with seats, sofas and tables, became popular again among young people who missed socializing and partying. during COVID restrictions. The bar, which in its corridors can be found with heavy local spirits such as Belgian beer, is known to Beijing overnighters for its empty bottles and customers who fall asleep on the couches after midnight.
With nearly 200 cases of COVID being linked to the bar since June 9, authorities described the outbreak as “severe” and “explosive” – ​​infected people living or working in 14 of the 16 districts of the Chinese capital, according to principles.
City officials have not yet commented on the exact cause of the outbreak, nor have they explained why they have not yet restored the level of restrictions imposed last month.
The fire at the bar was caused by gaps and complacency in preventing the epidemic, the Beijing Evening News reported in an article today.
“At a time when order is being restored in the city, the failure of the Heaven Supermarket Bar means that the difficulties and efforts of countless people have been in vain,” the newspaper said. If the outbreak escalates, “the consequences can be severe and one that no one would want to see.”
SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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