Omicron: China’s tech hub Shenzhen in selective lockdown as zero-Covid policy closes electronics market and offices
- Major electronic markets have banned all persons from entering, and authorities are strictly restricting gatherings in the surrounding area until Monday
- Some office buildings in the city were briefly put under lockdown when suspected cases were found, forcing workers to stay inside overnight
A mini outbreak of Omicron in Shenzhen, which originated from neighbouring Hong Kong, has triggered selective lockdowns of compounds and multiple rounds of mass testing in China’s hi-tech heartland, as the country maintains its strict zero-Covid policy.
Main marketplaces in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei, one of the world’s most important sourcing centres for electronic components, announced they would shut for four days from Thursday, forcing thousands of merchants to quickly move their inventory.
A dealer surnamed Wang worked up until the last minute, carrying out boxes of graphic cards, keyboards and other goods before the centre was locked down.
“This is tough. [The closure] has definitely impacted our business,” said Wang, who is now hawking his goods on the street outside the city’s Huaqiangbei Square. “I still need to make a living but there’s nothing else I can do.”
The market has banned all persons from entering and has strictly restricted gatherings in the surrounding area until Monday, according to a notice from Huaqiang Electronic World. In addition, all merchants will need to undertake Covid testing every day until Monday.