November 1, 2022, 6:35 AM
November 1, 2022, 6:35 AM
The Disney park in Shanghai is the latest high-profile site to close its doors under China’s strict zero-Covid policy, leaving a group of tourists locked up.
They were told that they were not going to be able to leave the theme park until they could show three negative tests.
The news comes after Shanghai on Saturday reported at least 10 cases of covid transmitted locally.
China’s controversial zero covid policy has made millions of people have been seen repeatedly locked upsometimes in unusual places.
Additionally, the sudden nature of these closures has made people make desperate attempts to escape from stores, including one of the Shanghai branches of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, and from workplaces to try to avoid being trapped.
However, those awaiting their freedom at the Disney park have found comfort in one thing: attractions will continue to operate for those who were trapped inside the “happiest place on earth”.
Yet another closure
In addition to the park, surrounding areas such as the shopping street were also abruptly closed shortly after 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday (3:30 GMT).
Videos posted on the Chinese social networking site Weibo showed people running to the park gates shortly after the announcement, only to find them already locked.
In a post on the Chinese social media site WeChat, the Shanghai government said the park was banning people from entering and those inside would only be allowed out once they tested negative for Covid.
He added that anyone who has visited the park since Thursday must provide three negative test results for three consecutive days.
No date has been given for the park’s reopening. Shanghai Disney said the tickets will be valid for six months and refunds will be given.
Insisting on the eradication
The instant closure comes just two days after the park began operating at reduced capacity in order to comply with covid measures.
It is not the first time that the park has closed unexpectedly.
In November last year, 30,000 people were trapped inside after authorities ordered everyone to take a Covid test as part of contact tracing.
Nearly three years after China reported its first coronavirus case, authorities across the country continue to impose abrupt and extreme measures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus altogether.
Since October 24, millions of people are under 200 individual lockdowns in different parts of China as the country of 1.45 billion people constantly records more than 1,000 new covid cases per day.
The numbers are seen as relatively small outbreaks in other parts of the world.
However, earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled that the zero-Covid policy that aims to eliminate all outbreaks would not be relaxed, calling it a “people’s war to stop the spread of the virus.”
The Chinese government’s insistence on an increasingly unpopular policy comes as the economy continues to suffer as a result, with GDP falling 2.6% in the three months to the end of June from the previous quarter.
Now you can receive notifications from BBC World. Download the new version of our app and activate it so you don’t miss out on our best content.
