As most countries around the world prepare to enter the endemic phase, China continues to struggle to deal with the outbreak of the coronavirus outbreak which is considered the worst in two years.
After modifying the ‘zero Covid-19’ policy by allowing rapid antigen testing (RAT) for public use, China has seen a sharp surge in coronavirus cases in the country.
With the increase in local transmission cases tripling to reach nearly 3,400 cases, China had to put its 17.5 million residents south of the city of Shenzhen on curfew on Sunday until March 20.
The surge in infections is believed to be linked to the neighboring city of Hong Kong, where about 300,000 people are now in isolation or under quarantine at home.
In addition to the ‘lockdown’, Shenzhen will launch three rounds of Covid-19 testing on a large scale against residents and all businesses except those supplying food, oil and other necessities are instructed to shut down or work from home if necessary.
Perhaps in principle the figures recorded are still low compared to other countries where the increase is higher. However, due to the Covid zero policy implemented by China, other economic sectors could be affected.
Among those affected was the FoxCon company which had to stop production of the iPhone at its factory. Not only that, but transportation systems throughout the city were ordered to close for the duration of the ban.
China's economy has seen a decline in some of its manufacturing and services activities due to disruptions in world supply chains, and these sanctions are expected to have a further impact on the world's second -largest economy.
