Authorities sought to combat a Covid epidemic and ordered that more than 13 million people stay home.
However, this lockdown is much more restrictive than other global ones and prevents locals from leaving the country for basic reasons such as buying food.
While the government is sending supplies, many people on social media claim they have yet to receive them or are experiencing financial difficulties.
The ninth day of lockdown in northern Xi’an has come to an end. This is the worst outbreak China has ever seen in recent months, despite its zero-Covid strategy.
Initial restrictions allowed only one household member to go out every two days to purchase food or other basic supplies.
However, the rules were tightened Monday and residents could not leave except to be tested for Covid-19.
People have used the Weibo social networking platform in recent days to ask for assistance with food and other necessities. Many people claimed that they haven’t yet received their government supplies.
“I heard that other districts are slowly getting supplies, but I didn’t get anything. My compound prohibits us from leaving. I ordered groceries online four days back, but have not seen any sign of receiving them. “I haven’t been in able to get any vegetables since days,” one commenter posted on Friday.
Another person stated that the allocation was so uneven. The area where I live hasn’t received anything. We are instructed to order together and group up. It is also very expensive.”
A video from this week that has been circulated online shows residents of Xi’an arguing with police about the shortage of food.
An elderly man informs authorities that his family is starving. A woman can be heard telling the authorities: “We’ve been in prison for 13 days.” The basic needs of the resident are no longer possible. We waited in line for up to four hours just to buy vegetables. They won’t sell it anymore.”
Global Times, a state-owned newspaper, reported that food was being delivered to some housing complex entrances in certain areas but not enough volunteers were available to deliver the goods to residents. A shortage of deliverymen was also common in the city, as many drivers were being quarantined.
On Wednesday, authorities admitted that the city was experiencing problems with essential supplies because of low staff attendance and logistical and distribution difficulties.
However, Thursday’s statement by the country’s commerce ministry was not finalized. It stated to reporters that Xi’an’s residents have “sufficient” access, according to AFP news agency.
State television stations also broadcast images of workers wearing hazmat suits sorting essential food items such as eggs, meat, and vegetables into plastic bags before delivering them to their residents door-to-door.
“We received free groceries from government. It’s quite a lot. It’s enough to feed a family for three or four days,” wrote one Weibo user who received their supplies.
China’s strict zero-Covid strategy led to the closing of bus stations and cancellation of outward bound flights. The city also conducted millions of tests in Shaanxi, the province where Xi’an is situated.
Since 9 December, Xi’an has seen more than 1300 cases of the virus. As China prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, this latest outbreak has cast doubt on China’s ability maintain its zero-Covid policy.
China called Covid “the greatest threat” to major international sporting events.
According to the most recent figures from the World Health Organization, the country where the virus was first detected has confirmed more than 131.300 cases and 5,699 deaths.
