Beijing: Chinese police are investigating a woman for allegedly fabricating “rumours” Beijing Will enter a three-day lockdown, officials said on Friday, after claims on social media caused panic across the capital.
China is digging in its heels on a zero-Covid strategy as they emerge, hitting hundreds of regions across Beijing with restrictions of some sort, including stricter lockdowns.
Residents flocked to supermarkets on Thursday to pick up groceries as rumors spread that stay-at-home orders would be announced soon. Outside food has already been stopped and many tourist attractions have been closed.
But instead of a lockdown, officials on Thursday announced a three-day mass testing drive in most parts of the city and told residents that there was no need to panic buying food.
Beijing police said in a statement on social media that they had opened an investigation against a woman named Yao.
The statement said the 38-year-old had “fabricated and published relevant rumours”, adding that police had taken “criminal imperative measures” against him – a broad term that could refer to detention, arrest or home surveillance. Is.
Police said it had created an “emergency notice” saying Thursday’s press conference would announce a three-day “quiet period” in which takeout and deliveries would be suspended.
“It was released through online social media platforms and spread extensively, severely disrupting the social order,” the statement said.
Although no formal lockdown was announced, officials “recommended” people to stay at home and “minimize movement” during the three-day testing period.
Beijing taxi services and subway stations have been closed in many areas, while parks have been closed and millions have been told to work from home.
AFP saw at least one community lined up with additional gates and a loudspeaker message being broadcast asking people to “refrain from entering this community”.
Beijing residents fear they may face harsh measures similar to those Shanghai Which has kept most of its 25 million people indoors for more than a month – initially described as a one-day shutdown.
In the capital, the police have also taken action against a 29-year-old man named Surname Chain The same police notice stated that over 1,000 asymptomatic Covid patients were roaming without masks in Haidian district of the city.
On Friday, Beijing authorities reported 50 local COVID cases, including eight asymptomatic people.
China is digging in its heels on a zero-Covid strategy as they emerge, hitting hundreds of regions across Beijing with restrictions of some sort, including stricter lockdowns.
Residents flocked to supermarkets on Thursday to pick up groceries as rumors spread that stay-at-home orders would be announced soon. Outside food has already been stopped and many tourist attractions have been closed.
But instead of a lockdown, officials on Thursday announced a three-day mass testing drive in most parts of the city and told residents that there was no need to panic buying food.
Beijing police said in a statement on social media that they had opened an investigation against a woman named Yao.
The statement said the 38-year-old had “fabricated and published relevant rumours”, adding that police had taken “criminal imperative measures” against him – a broad term that could refer to detention, arrest or home surveillance. Is.
Police said it had created an “emergency notice” saying Thursday’s press conference would announce a three-day “quiet period” in which takeout and deliveries would be suspended.
“It was released through online social media platforms and spread extensively, severely disrupting the social order,” the statement said.
Although no formal lockdown was announced, officials “recommended” people to stay at home and “minimize movement” during the three-day testing period.
Beijing taxi services and subway stations have been closed in many areas, while parks have been closed and millions have been told to work from home.
AFP saw at least one community lined up with additional gates and a loudspeaker message being broadcast asking people to “refrain from entering this community”.
Beijing residents fear they may face harsh measures similar to those Shanghai Which has kept most of its 25 million people indoors for more than a month – initially described as a one-day shutdown.
In the capital, the police have also taken action against a 29-year-old man named Surname Chain The same police notice stated that over 1,000 asymptomatic Covid patients were roaming without masks in Haidian district of the city.
On Friday, Beijing authorities reported 50 local COVID cases, including eight asymptomatic people.