BEIJING: Authorities in China abruptly imposed a lockdown in a Disney resort and an iPhone factory resulting in panic and people climbing over fences to escape the premises.

Shanghai Disney Resort shut its doors Monday as Chinese authorities imposed a snap lockdown, trapping guests who are not permitted to leave until they test negative for Covid-19, AFP reported. Meanwhile, a similar lockdown was imposed in the world’s largest iPhone factory in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou, according to the South China Morning Post.

As part of the country’s ‘zero-Covid policy’, authorities routinely impose snap lockdowns, mass testing and lengthy quarantines.

According to an online notice posted by the Shanghai government, those who had visited the resort since Thursday must obtain three negative Covid-19 tests over three successive days and “avoid participating in group activities”.

The move came after at least 10 asymptomatic cases were reported in Shanghai on Monday, according to the National Health Commission.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2022