Mar 28, 2022 - World

Shanghai locks down 26 million in two phases

Axios

A worker in a protective suit walks today at the entrance to a tunnel leading to Shanghai's Pudong area. — A worker in a protective suit at the entrance to a tunnel leading to Shanghai's Pudong area on March 28. Photo: Aly Song/AP

China on Monday began its most extensive lockdown in two years, with mass testing in Shanghai, China's financial capital and largest city, AP reports.

Why it matters: The move raises questions about the economic toll of the nation's "zero COVID" strategy.

Shanghai's Pudong financial district will be locked down from today to Friday. On Friday, the vast downtown area west of the Huangpu River, which divides the city, will start its own five-day lockdown.

Deliveries will be left at checkpoints to ensure there's no contact with the outside world.

Panic-buying was reported Sunday, with supermarket shelves cleared.

Go deeper: China reports first COVID deaths in over a year

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Shanghai locks down 26 million in two phases

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