Fears of lockdown in Beijing

People in Beijing have stocked up on food and other supplies as the city’s largest district began mass testing people amid a fresh coronavirus epidemic.

After multiple positive COVID-19 instances in China’s capital in recent days, the testing system has sparked worries of a lockdown akin to the one in Shanghai.

Chaoyang has a population of 3.45 million people, and officials ordered on Sunday that residents and workers be tested three times this week.
Coronavirus has been spreading “stealthily” across the city for about a week, according to officials.

In anticipation of a lockdown, shoppers raced to stores in the city and online, stocking up on veggies, pork, instant noodles, and toilet paper.

“I am ready for the worst,” said a student in the Haidian area, who placed an internet purchase for dozens of snacks and around 10 pounds of apples.

Carrefour and Wumart reported their supplies had been quadrupled, while e-commerce site Maituan’s 3690.

According to the state-backed tabloid Beijing Daily, HK also boosted stock and manpower for sorting and delivery.

Since Friday, Beijing has recorded 47 domestically transmitted cases, with Chaoyang, home to some of the capital’s wealthiest citizens, accounting for more than half of them.

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