Beijing residents rushed to supermarkets as Chinese officials tried to curb mounting panic over a rumour the capital would be placed under stay-at-home orders. The city has been trying to stamp out a wave of cases in recent weeks, closing subway stations and telling many residents to work from home, with hundreds of communities sealed off to contain cases.
On Thursday there were rumours online that authorities were about to impose a strict lockdown, prompting many to rush to food stores and stock up.
Beijing residents fear they may face draconian measures similar to those that have trapped most of Shanghai’s 25 million people at home for weeks — after what was initially described as a days-long shutdown.
No lockdown was announced Thursday, but officials confirmed they will start three more rounds of mass testing for residents in 12 of the city’s main districts and “recommended” that people stay home and “reduce movement” during that time.
AFP saw staff at one local supermarket in central Beijing rushing to restock as shelves of vegetables were emptied out.
Officials tried to calm residents at a daily press conference Thursday, saying that there was no need to panic buy food, and urging people to stay calm The so-called lockdown and ‘silent period’ are all rumours,” said Beijing official Xu Hejian. There’s no need to grab groceries or stock up. City residents, please don’t worry.
According to one online tracker by Tencent, Beijing has more than 650 areas that are under Covid-19 restrictions, including those with stay-at-home orders.
Source: eNCA
In other news – Social Media reacts to Minnie Dlamini’s joint statement
Social media users are not convinced Minnie Dlamini and Quinton Jones’ joint statement released on Wednesday 11 May, amid cheating rumours circulating on social media, is legit.
The media personality and her estranged husband released a statement addressing the viral cheating scandal that is allegedly the reason behind their divorce. In the statement. Learn more