Voices from the ground: Shanghai’s lockdown through the eyes of SCMP’s journalists

Like others in Shanghai, the Post’s journalists have been working under lockdown for the past two weeks, while reporting on a story that they are part of

Nine of our journalists in Shanghai open up about their experiences and insights into the situation

Reading Time:14 minutes

Puxi residents rushing to stock up on food one day after Shanghai announced a plan to lockdown the city. Photo: Tracy Qu

Daniel Ren,Alice Yan,Zhang Shidong,Tracy Qu,Mandy Zuo,Thomas Yau,Yaling Jiang,Ann CaoandIris Ouyang

Published: 2:04pm, 14 Apr 2022Updated: 2:59pm, 15 Apr 2022

On March 28, China’s financial hub Shanghai began a two-phase lockdown plan to contain the spread of the coronavirus within the city. While the initial plan was for restrictions to be lifted on April 5, they have been repeatedly extended in some areas with no end in sight.

Like other residents, the Post’s journalists in Shanghai have struggled with food shortages, loneliness and fears for their families – all while working hard to bring news of the situation in the city to the world from the confines of their homes.

Here are their experiences and thoughts in their own words.

Daniel Ren, Shanghai Bureau Chief

Which part of Shanghai do you live in?

Tangqiao subdistrict, Pudong New Area, which is about 3 kilometres away from Lujiazui finance and trade zone, known as China’s Wall Street.

Can you describe what the current lockdown situation is like in your neighbourhood?

It is fully locked down, and nothing more than a ghost town. You meet people only when there is mass Covid-19 testing. When I see wild birds roosting on my balcony, I realise that it is still a living world.

What is the hardest part of the lockdown for you and your family?