China Returns to Sanctions Due to Covid-19

With the increase in Covid-19 cases, China took remarkable sanctions decisions, and eased these restrictions with the easing of the cases. Due to the new cases seen in Beijing and Shanghai, it was announced that they closed some parts of the two cities and carried out large-scale testing again.

A few days after the easing of the long-lasting restrictions in Beijing and Shanghai, sanctions were reinstated in some regions due to the increasing number of cases. The emergence of new cases at a local bar in the capital ended the five-day series of zero cases and prompted the start of large-scale testing in the Chaoyang district, where many headquarters and embassies are located. In Shanghai, most of the city was closed on Saturday due to new cases coming from outside the quarantine zone. China was shaken economically due to the heavy sanctions it implemented with the Zero Covid-19 strategy. Just as the restrictions were eased, the return of the sanctions caused economic concerns. According to the data of the Beijing Local Health Commission, the number of cases recorded in the city as 8 on Thursday increased to 61 on Friday. It was stated that 36 of the patients showed symptoms, but 25 of them were asymptomatic. All cases are associated with a bar in the Chaoyang district. It was stated that at least 13 districts in Beijing reported positive cases associated with the bar in question. While the Chinese economy showed signs of recovery with the easing of restrictions in May, it is estimated that the very fragile recovery may lose its effect if the restrictions are brought back.