Shanghai vows punishment for lockdown violators as the city continues to fight Covid outbreak

Shanghai authorities have backed away from their plan to relax lockdown measures in the city as daily Covid-19 infections remain high. China’s biggest commercial city added 27,719 new coronavirus cases according to data released on April 14, 2022, bringing the city’s total infections to 280,000 since March 1. Residents in low-risk areas with no infections in the past 14 days can move around within their compound but are still barred from venturing out onto the streets. Apartment blocks and compounds in the highest-risk zones remain sealed off and residents are not allowed to leave their homes. The Shanghai police department has also banned cars from the roads apart from those involved in pandemic prevention work or transporting people in need of emergency medical treatment. On April 12, the Shanghai police warned that anyone who violates lockdown rules will be dealt with strictly.