Between restrictions and anxiety, the French in Shanghai speak of strict restriction

To counteract the rise in Covid-19 cases, the Chinese authorities have imposed strict restrictions on the country’s economic capital. However, the French are still stuck there.

After more than a month of restrictions and two weeks of strict confinement, the people of Shanghai They are increasingly daring to express their dissatisfaction with actions they consider “inhumane”. Because the confinement issued by the Chinese authorities is very strict, as Elodie Mangin testifies.

From the top of the 25th floor, this French expat tells BFMTV not to see the slightest car passing on the street. “All you see are men in white coats,” she says. “There are very few vehicles, except for ambulances.”

The streets of Shanghai are already completely empty. All trips are prohibited: only those who need to be tested for Covid-19 can exit. So the slightest daily gesture is part of an obstacle course, like shopping…or a walk with your dog.

“We’ve seen pictures on social networks of very creative people lowering their dogs with ropes from their apartment buildings,” confirms Frederic Schaeffer, the newspaper’s correspondent. reverberation.

‘We’re still worried’

But others were not so lucky. Pets were shot on the street on suspicion of carrying the virus, many residents reported on social networks.

Because Beijing’s “no virus” policy is more than radical. Some animals are killed because their masters are positive or in contact with the condition. And residents who test positive for Covid-19 must go to isolation centers… voluntarily or forcibly. for about three weeks, Families are separated every day.

“It’s punishment. It’s really where you don’t want to go,” testifies François-Xavier Sahuk, an expat in Shanghai. “We are still in fear of knowing if our apartment has infected people or if we have been in contact with the case.

He, like the others, explains above all that he lacks prospects. If the resentment of the population grows Pushing the authorities to announce the lifting of restrictionsIn fact, it shouldn’t happen right away. Because this Sunday, there were 19,831 new asymptomatic cases reported, and 2,417 asymptomatic cases. Additionally, for the first time since containment was implemented, Three people have died from the virus.