SHANGHAI (Reuters) – The Chinese city of Shanghai announced on Sunday its intention to carry out tests relating to the epidemic of COVID-19 which will result in a reconfiguration of the population in two stages between March 28 and April 5.
Authorities have said they will split the city of 25 million people, which is facing an epidemic wave, in two.
Districts east of the Huangpu River that runs through the city, and some others to the west, will be locked down and tested between March 28 and April 1. The remaining areas will be affected between April 1 and April 5.
Public transport, including ride-sharing services, will be suspended in these areas during the lockdown, the city government said on its official WeChat account.
During each of the lockdowns, companies and factories will suspend their activities or resort to teleworking, with the exception of public services and the food sector.
(Report Brenda Goh, Winni Zhou and Engen Tham; French version Elizabeth Pineau)