China Extends , Shanghai , COVID Lockdown.<br />'The Independent' reports that Shanghai has extended its lockdown of most of its 26 million residents to prevent the spread of COVID-19.<br />The broad lockdown is specifically meant <br />to stop the spread of the highly-transmissible Omicron subvariant, BA.2.<br />According to official guidance, <br />citizens of Shanghai will be required to stay home <br />for as long as the outbreak remains a concern. .<br />Many of these citizens have reportedly <br />been told to not cross their doorsteps <br />even to take out garbage or walk pets. .<br />'The Independent' reports that public transport <br />has been suspended in most of the city. .<br />Non-essential businesses, such as <br />shopping malls and restaurants, <br />have been forced to close. .<br />The lockdown began on March 28 <br />and was originally meant to <br />be in place for 10 days. .<br />According to 'The Independent,' Shanghai has become <br />the testing grounds for the government's handling of <br />a "dynamic clearance" approach to a COVID-19 outbreak. .<br />This approach reportedly aims to test for, <br />trace and quarantine all positive cases. .<br />Residents are required to <br />undergo nucleic acid tests carried out <br />by healthcare workers wearing hazmat suits. .<br />On April 1, the city said that the <br />daily tally of infections had fallen <br />for the second day in a row.
