In China’s worst wave of coronavirus since the pandemic began two years ago, the number of infections continues to rise rapidly, with 20,000 cases reported across the country. Due to the strict zero-covid policy, extensive curfews are in place in the metropolises of Shanghai, Changchun and Shenyang in northeast China, which have a total population of about 38 million. The habit of separating small children from their parents causes great outrage.
Following the protests, the Shanghai municipal government announced that non-infected parents could apply there to accompany children in need of special support in isolation. However, it remained unclear whether the scheme was only limited to children requiring special care.
Children experience “traumatic experiences”
In recent months, there have been repeated cases of foreign children who tested positive on entry to the country and came to hospital without being able to have their parents with them or not speak the language. “Traumatic experiences” were reported.
Metropolises in a state of emergency
In Shanghai, where the curfew was extended indefinitely, authorities tested the 26 million residents again on Wednesday. “Shanghai is in a state of emergency,” explains Bettina Schön-Behanzin, president of the local association of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China.
Shanghai is like a ghost town
The metropolis has turned into a “ghost city”: “There is a strong sense of insecurity in the city. It is fueled by a lack of supplies, endless lockdowns and a very high risk of being sent to one of the central quarantine camps.” In China, anyone who tests positive is taken to a central quarantine facility.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
