China: Authorities extend ongoing COVID-19 lockdown measures in certain areas of Shanghai as of April 1 /update 4

Event

Officials in Shanghai have extended ongoing lockdown measures in some areas of Pudong, Punan, and its adjacent areas as of April 1. Authorities are currently in Phase 2 of citywide testing, covering Puxi through at least 03:00 April 5. The government will manage Phase 1 areas through grid units classified as either "locked-down", "controlled", or "precautionary". The affected areas are in Pudong, Punan, Chongming, Fengxian, Jinshan, Pujin, and Pudong New districts; Pujin Street and Pujiang Town in Minhang District; and Maogang, Shihudang, Xinbang, and Yexie towns in Songjiang District. Dine-in services, as well as entertainment and nonessential venues, remain closed. Shopping malls and supermarkets may open with capacity controls.

• Locked-down areas: Grid units containing communities or sites with COVID-19 cases. People cannot leave their homes for an additional ten days if COVID-19 cases are found in their residential building within the last four days, while surrounding areas will remain in lockdown for another three days with an additional seven-day home quarantine and PCR testing.

• Controlled areas: Other localities in the same town or subdistrict of locked-down areas. Residents cannot leave their communities for an additional three days and must undergo additional PCR tests. People cannot participate in social gatherings and are encouraged to participate in home quarantine. One person from each household may pick up delivery items at designated areas daily.

• Precautionary areas: All other regions apart from locked down and controlled areas. Residents must undergo seven days of self-health monitoring and additional tests. Individuals are encouraged to stay at home, telecommute, and avoid visiting crowded areas and other districts. Officials have also advised residents not to cross to the west side of the Huangpu River, which will remain under lockdown from 03:00 April 1.

Other COVID-19 control measures remain in effect. Authoirities have advised residents not to leave Shanghai unless necessary; outbound travelers must present results of a negative nucleic acid test and antigen test taken within 48 and 24 hours respectively. All highway toll gates, cross-river bridges, and tunnels are closed. Delivery services will remain available. Educational institutions are closed. All intercity bus services remain suspended. Officials have also banned iInterprovincial group tourism between Shanghai and other provinces, regions, and municipalities.

Increased health screenings are likely at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), and other passenger transport hubs throughout the city over the coming weeks. Authorities in PVG are diverting some international flights to other cities through at least May 1. Further controls on long-distance travel and flight cancellations and delays at PVG and SHA are possible. Cargo and passenger transit to, within, and from Shanghai may face processing delays and disruptions. Lockdown measures, particularly in business districts and industrial areas, could lead to commercial and production disruptions in the affected areas. Nevertheless, authorities allow factories to remain open if they operate under a closed-loop system where workers live and work on-site, and undergo testing protocols.

Further extensions to lockdown measures in Shanghai are likely if more COVID-19 cases emerge. Strict controls such as stay-at-home orders, and closure of nonessential businesses are probable in affected locations with COVID-19 cases, as well as adjacent areas. Several rounds of mass testing are almost certain in areas under stay-at-home orders. Other provincial and municipal governments will probably require individuals who have recently traveled Shanghai to undergo COVID-19 testing and/or mandatory institutional quarantine periods.

Advice

Strictly heed the instructions of authorities. Confirm appointments and transport arrangements, especially at PVG. Remain cooperative if approached and questioned by law enforcement officers.