Washington orders members of their consulate to leave the city

On Tuesday, April 12, the US Embassy said the United States has ordered non-essential staff at its consulate in Shanghai to leave the city, against the backdrop of an epidemic outbreak and strict containment measures in the Chinese capital. The US State Department has ‘Ordered to leave due to ongoing Covid-19 outbreak’ Of these individuals, diplomats informed China “of their concerns for the safety and well-being of American citizens”The statement said.

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China’s economic capital is facing the largest increase in cases since the start of the epidemic. Authorities have locked down nearly all of the population of 25 million, and placed those who have tested positive in quarantine centres. China is one of the last countries in the world to implement a strict zero-Covid strategy. It consists of several measures: confinement as soon as a few cases appear, separating people who test positive from the rest of the population, visas issued by default, quarantine upon arrival in the territory or even tracing of movements.

China’s Ministry of Health reported more than 23,000 new positive cases in Shanghai on Tuesday. Almost all of its 25 million residents are still confined to their homes, and some are having difficulty getting food back. Many of those who tested positive were also placed in solitary confinement in large quarantine centers set up in exhibition halls or prefab buildings.

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Last week, the US Embassy already indicated “to allow” Non-essential consular staff to leave Shanghai. I also felt that American citizens risk facing a “arbitrary application” Covid restrictions.