China: Authorities begin to ease COVID-19 measures from April 11; lockdowns to continue in many areas /update 6

Event

Authorities in Shanghai plan to begin easing movement restrictions from April 11, following several rounds of COVID-19 testing. The government will designate locations as closed, control, or prevention, depending on COVID-19 activity, with the following restrictions:

Closed: Areas that have reported a COVID-19 case in the previous seven days. Closed locations must continue lockdown measures for seven days; residents cannot leave home and must order essential goods via delivery. If officials do not find any cases, the area will transition to a control area, and the government will carry out nucleic acid testing on day 13. If no positive cases emerge during the last round of testing, the site will transition to a prevention area. If a case occurs during the 14-day period, authorities will lock down the resident's building until reaching 14 days from the initial designation.

Control: Locations without any COVID-19 cases in the previous seven days. Control areas must carry out health monitoring for seven days. People in these locations must remain in their community, and gatherings remain prohibited. During the health monitoring period, authorities will close a control area that reports a COVID-19 case.

Prevention: Areas without any COVID-19 cases for two weeks. Residents in these areas must continue to reduce their movement but can travel to nearby communities and towns, except for any control or closed locations.

As of April 11, the Shanghai government has designated 7,624 closed areas, 2,460 control areas, and 7,565 prevention locations; district-level officials will provide a list of specific places and designations. However, the number of places in each category is likely to change several times in the coming weeks before officials ease restrictions across the municipality.

The government is likely to maintain tight transport restrictions in the coming days and weeks. Shanghai Metro continues to suspend most transit lines; lines 6 and 16 operate 07:00-20:00 daily. Officials closed Wulian Road Station April 10 until further notice. Highway toll gates, cross-river bridges, and tunnels are closed but may resume operations in the coming days. Intercity bus services remain suspended. Increased health screenings are likely at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), and other passenger transport hubs in the coming weeks. Authorities are diverting some international flights to PVG to different cities through at least May 1.

Authorities 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. Officials do not require antigen tests for travelers who receive a nucleic acid test within 24 hours of departure. Officials have also banned interprovincial group tourism with Shanghai. Provincial and municipal governments in other areas of China will probably require individuals recently in Shanghai to undergo COVID-19 testing and/or mandatory quarantine periods.

The government allows factories to operate under a closed-loop system where employees live and work on-site and undergo regular testing. Nevertheless, some factories in areas under lockdown remain closed. Officials have denied significant disruptions at the Port of Shanghai; however, reports indicate that logistics sites and warehouses are closed or limiting operations, suggesting cargo processing disruptions are likely to continue.

Advice

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