U.S. State Department Orders Non-Emergency Staff In Shanghai To Leave Amid Covid Surge

The U.S. State Department today ordered the departure of non-emergency American government employees and all family members from the Shanghai consular district due to a surge in Covid-19 cases and the impact of restrictions related to China’s response, according to a statement on the department’s website.

On Friday, the U.S. urged Americans to reconsider travel to China due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws and Covid-19-related restrictions,” and said “do not travel” to Shanghai, Hong Kong and Jilin province “due to Covid-19-related restrictions, including the risk of parents and children being separated.”

The city, an Asian business hub that has attracted U.S. investment by companies ranging from Tesla to Johnson & Johnson, reported some 25,000 Covid cases, including symptomatic and asymptotic cases, on Monday, Reuters said. Criticism of food shortages and lengthy lockdowns in connection with the country’s “zero Covid” policies have flooded the country’s social media, though some easing began this week. Three Shanghai city government health officials have been sacked thus far, AP reported on Friday.

(See related post: U.S. Tips For Americans Still In Shanghai)

China says it is necessary to stick with current approach because of the risks to its medical system of a wider spread. “With a population of more than 1.4 billion, including a large number of senior citizens, China’s medical system would risk a breakdown and unbearable consequences if the containment measures were not strictly implemented,” Xinhua News Agency said in a report on Saturday.

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U.S. Tells Citizens “Do Not Travel” To Shanghai, Hong Kong Due To Covid Restrictions

China Lockdowns Likely To Be Following By Policy Easing — Matthews Asia

@rflannerychina