Locked-down Chinese city apologises after mandatory Covid testing system crashes
- Chengdu authorities say sorry for long delays that forced people to wait in the rain late into the night
- Transport hub ordered residents to test daily to try to keep a lid on coronavirus cases
“There was abnormal activity in the citywide nucleic acid testing system, leading to slow progress and long lines in the cold rain,” the municipal government said in a statement on Saturday night.
“We feel concerned, ashamed and accept public criticism. We sincerely apologise and thank the public for their understanding and support.”
A team was assembled immediately to fix the problem, and the government would stagger test times across the city to avoid congestion, it said.
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Authorities imposed a three-day snap lockdown from Thursday evening and ordered residents to test daily to combat a surge in Covid-19 cases. More than 900 cases have been reported in the southwestern transport hub of 21 million since mid-August.