"Delivery Workers Scarce, Health App Crashes"... China’s Quarantine System 'In Chaos' Amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Qatar World Cup 'No Mask' Spectators Raise Zero-COVID Complaints
Violent Crackdowns and Lockdowns Stir Public Discontent

On the 24th, I accessed the app of Hema, a local warehouse-style supermarket, to order ingredients such as meat, vegetables, fruits, and ramen, but was unable to place an order due to transportation restrictions. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] As the number of new COVID-19 cases in China soars to an all-time high, local quarantine measures are plunging into chaos. With a surge in demand for food ingredient purchases centered in high-risk areas, even large supermarkets have suspended delivery services, and some regional health apps have gone offline.

According to the National Health Commission of China on the 24th, the number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide reached 31,444 the previous day, surpassing 30,000 for the first time. Excluding 1,690 cases that China claims were double-counted due to reclassification from asymptomatic to symptomatic, the figure stands at 29,754, exceeding the previous highest record during the Shanghai lockdown (April 13, 28,937 cases). Most Chinese portals and media outlets report the number of confirmed cases without excluding these overlapping cases.

On the same day, Beijing reported 1,648 confirmed cases (1,139 asymptomatic). Partial lockdowns have been implemented in areas with concentrated cases such as Chaoyang-gu and Haidian-gu. As shops, schools, and restaurants all closed simultaneously, delivery demand surged, leading to situations where people could not receive food or goods on time due to a shortage of delivery workers. Large warehouse-style supermarkets like 'Hema' have also stopped delivering goods, resulting in some areas where they do not sell products.

The health app of Sichuan Province is not accessible. The health app, which can prove one's negative nucleic acid test result, is essential for external activities such as entering schools or restaurants. (Photo by Weibo)

In Sichuan Province in southwestern China, the health app, an essential tool for daily life, went offline due to traffic overload. Authorities have stated they are currently working to restore app functionality, but problems have been reported regarding access to some public places and school commutes.

In Guangzhou, where nearly 8,000 new infections were reported, violent protests by workers opposing the lockdown and forced quarantines have caused widespread chaos. Since last month, in Haizhu District, large numbers of infected individuals and close contacts have reportedly been transferred daily to group quarantine facilities called 'Fangchang.'

Earlier, videos circulated on local Chinese social media showing quarantine personnel forcibly restraining a man by knocking him down and twisting his arm, and two women being tied up and made to kneel for not wearing masks, sparking controversy. Quarantine authorities and related regions attempted to verify the facts and quickly contain the situation, but dissatisfaction with quarantine measures is gradually intensifying.

Some Chinese citizens, having recently watched the Qatar World Cup and observed spectators without masks, have begun to question their own situation of constant lockdowns and quarantines. According to Bloomberg News, on the 22nd, a netizen posted a message titled "Ten Questions" on WeChat, China's social media platform, addressed to the National Health Commission (NHC). The netizen wrote, "Spectators watching the Qatar World Cup neither wore masks nor were required to take PCR tests," and questioned, "Are they really living on the same planet as the Chinese? Does COVID-19 not harm them?" This post quickly spread with 100,000 views but was soon deleted. As lockdown areas multiply across China recently, doubts about strict quarantine measures have been raised within WeChat groups formed around these individuals, and dissatisfaction is reportedly becoming organized.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.