China tightened its COVID lockdowns and restrictions as daily infections rose to an all-time high.

It recorded 31 444 new cases on Wednesday, surpassing the April peak when Shanghai was locked down in a lockdown that would last for two months.

It’s also the highest daily number since the virus was first discovered in late 2019 in central China’s Wuhan.

As its zero-COVID policy continues sparking protests, the new crackdown is coming as clashes have occurred at a Foxconn factory that makes iPhones.

Advertisement

A promise of big bonuses has not stopped workers leaving the site frustrated by curbs.

Apple stated that it has employees at the factory and is working closely with Foxconn “to ensure that their employees’ concerns will be addressed”.

As the severity and frequency of protests increase, there have been rare instances of open dissent in China.

Zhengzhou authorities have declared a five-day lockdown, including mass testing in eight districts. This is the latest city to restart daily tests for millions.

The 6.6 million inhabitants were told to stay home and not to purchase food or medicine.

Beijing residents were told that they must show they are COVID negative in order to gain access to any public buildings after a spike in cases.

Officials in Beijing stated that proof of a negative virus test within 48 hours is required for entry to shopping centers, factories, government buildings, and hotels.

In Guangzhou, the port city, and Shijiazhuang, in northern China have seen restrictions increase.

Beijing and other cities had earlier this month committed to loosening strict lockdown restrictions.

However, China reported its first three deaths due to COVID in six months. This week’s report brings the total to 5,232. The number of cases is still increasing so stricter measures are being reintroduced.

According to global standards, the country’s COVID-19 cases have remained low. Some believe that the country’s strict pandemic restrictions are limiting the economy’s growth and making it less competitive with other countries.

China’s leadership however has defended its strategy which includes the most restrictive restrictions in the world. They claim it is necessary to save people and keep the medical system from being overwhelmed.

Continue reading:

Beijing remains in lockdown, but authorities won’t use the word.

China’s zero COVID stance There is no stopping it

Millions of residents have been locked up in their homes by the rigid zero-COVID policy. They are also subject to mass testing and sudden lockdowns, which is mandatory for areas with positive coronavirus cases.

After a customer tested positive for COVID, authorities attempted to prevent shoppers from leaving the Ikea store in Xuhui in Shanghai.

The Shanghai Disney Resort was the latest venue to close its doors. It locked all visitors in and allowed them to leave hours later after testing negative for the virus.

Subscribe to Sky News Daily, where you can get your podcasts