Status: 09.11.2021 07:42 a.m.
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The Chinese authorities continue to adhere to the zero covid strategy. However, the onset of winter and the delta variant make it increasingly difficult for the authorities – there are local outbreaks in several parts of the country.
By Benjamin Eyssel, ARD-Studio Beijing
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Compared to Europe and other parts of the world, the numbers in China seem negligible. The authorities have reported local outbreaks in around 20 parts of the country. In some cities these are isolated cases, others report ten or 20 new infections a day. Most of the cases of the latest outbreak are in northern China, where there was an onset of winter over the weekend – with sub-zero temperatures and snow.
Benjamin Eyssel
ARD-Studio Peking
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Sometimes people had to take part in corona mass tests outdoors in the freezing cold. A helper in the city of Xining in the northwestern part of Qinghai told the state broadcaster CCTV: “We have set up three tents here at the test station, they are equipped with heaters and hand warmers and other aids against the cold.”
The government’s goal: to get the local outbreaks completely under control and to eradicate the corona virus. But with the delta variant, which is also prevalent in China and is spreading faster, as well as lower temperatures, this seems to be more difficult.
The opening of the borders is not yet in sight
The country of origin of the Covid-19 pandemic has managed to remain largely corona-free since the outbreak in Wuhan at the end of 2019 / beginning of 2020. With sometimes drastic measures. So the borders are almost completely closed to this day. The number of flights to China from abroad has been cut to a minimum. The People’s Republic is now the last large country to adhere to a strict zero-Covid course.
When China opens again and the Chinese can travel abroad without any problems depends on the rest of the world, said the virologist Zhong Nanshan last week on the state broadcaster CGTN. “As with other countries, a step-by-step opening is conceivable for us. With countries that have been vaccinated, you can take this step faster. But countries with a low vaccination rate, you can only lift travel restrictions gradually. Overall, I guess it will it will take until the end of next year until one can travel freely again. “
China is vaccinating the population quickly – in the meantime, small children are also vaccinated against Corona. Risk groups get the third vaccination. How well the Chinese vaccines work with the Delta variant is not entirely clear. The Winter Olympics in the capital Beijing in February will therefore take place completely in a sealed-off bubble and without spectators from abroad.
Authorities switch numerous Corona apps to red
Meanwhile, reports are causing a stir that Chinese authorities have contacted tens of thousands of people for staying in the same cell phone cells as confirmed Covid-19 cases.
According to the Hong Kong newspaper “South China Morning Post”, the authorities in the metropolis of Chengdu have identified more than 80,000 possible contacts because those who tested positive are said to have approached less than 800 meters for more than ten minutes. They received text messages over their phones asking them to stay home and take two PCR tests. The QR codes of their Corona apps were therefore switched from green to red. This means that they can no longer travel and often also cannot enter restaurants, authorities or shopping centers.
Onset of winter & delta variant: China’s zero covid strategy on the test bench
Benjamin Eyssel, ARD Beijing, 9.11.2021 · 07:17
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