Hong Kong, Europe Brief News – Chinese authorities locked down Chengdu, a southwestern city of 21 million people, following a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Photos of empty supermarket shelves and Chengdu residents scrambling to hoard groceries went viral on social media with the order given only six hours before taking effect.
On Thursday, the city recorded 157 new infections, including 51 asymptomatic.
China’s Covid policies require cities to enter strict lockdowns – even if just a handful of cases are reported.
However, Beijing’s drive to ensure “zero Covid” has been accused of stifling economic growth, and has prompted rare public dissent from citizens.
Chengdu’s residents, asked to stay at home from 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Thursday, will all be tested over the coming days, but it was not clear when restrictions would be lifted.
In the meantime, people have been banned from entering or leaving Chengdu, the capital of the south-west Sichuan province, with only residents able to show evidence of a negative Covid test allowed out to buy necessities.
State media also reports that the start of schools’ autumn term has been postponed and flights have been grounded.
Health authorities labelled the situation “extremely complex and severe” and blamed the outbreak on mass gatherings during warm weather at a pair of swimming and entertainment venues.
