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China: Mass testing begins in Beijing, lockdown fear sparks panic buying

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 25 Apr 2022

China: Mass testing begins in Beijing, lockdown fear sparks panic buying

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Beijing: As the Chinese capital Beijing begins mass testing for its millions of residents after an increase in Covid-19 cases, fears of a hard lockdown have sparked panic buying.

According to BBC, the Chaoyang district reported 26 cases over the weekend - the highest number so far in Beijing's latest surge.

Following this sudden surge in Covid cases, long queues have formed outside supermarkets and shops amid fears of a similar lockdown situation in Shanghai.

According to a notice by the city's disease prevention team, all 3.5 million residents in Chaoyang, Beijing's most populous district, will undergo three rounds of mass testing, BBC reported.

Amid rush to stock up essential supplies, the capital's major supermarkets have extended their opening hours.

Meanwhile, China Daily quoted Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, as saying that Beijing is likely to witness a surge in Covid cases in the coming days.

(With UNI inputs)