(Shanghai) The United States has ordered non-essential employees of its consulate in Shanghai to leave the city, against the backdrop of an epidemic outbreak and strict containment measures in the metropolis, the American embassy said on Tuesday.
Posted at 10:27 p.m.
China’s economic capital is facing its biggest surge in cases since the start of the pandemic. Authorities have locked down almost all of the 25 million residents and are placing those who test positive in quarantine centres.
It is in this context that the US State Department has “ordered the departure (of its personnel) due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic”, said a spokesperson for the US Embassy. United in a statement.
The American diplomats also informed the Chinese authorities “of their concerns regarding the safety and well-being of American citizens”, specifies the text.
China is one of the last countries in the world to implement a strict zero COVID-19 strategy.
It consists of several measures: confinements as soon as a few cases appear, separation of people who test positive from the rest of the population, visas issued in dribs and drabs, quarantine on arrival in the territory or even tracing of movements.
China’s health ministry reported more than 23,000 new positive cases in Shanghai on Tuesday.
Almost all of its 25 million inhabitants are still confined to their homes, with some having difficulty recovering food.
Many of those who tested positive were also placed in solitary confinement in large quarantine centers set up in exhibition halls or prefabricated structures.
Last week, the US Embassy had already indicated that it “allowed” non-essential consulate employees to leave Shanghai. She also felt that US citizens risked facing “arbitrary enforcement” of anti-COVID-19 restrictions.