Parts of the Chinese capital Beijing have been put on lockdown after 74 cases of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), driven by the more infectious B11529 omicron variant, were recorded within a span of 24 hours.
Authorities locked down several areas in the city, including various residential neighborhoods. COVID-19 testing efforts were also intensified, with individuals who return a positive test result being hauled to quarantine centers.
The Sanlitun area in Beijing – known as a popular shopping and nightlife area – was not spared. All bars in the area were shut down, while restaurants were ordered to offer take away services only. Furthermore, 123 non-essential establishments in Sanlitun were ordered to cease operations in line with the lockdown.
The Chaoyang district where Sanlitun is located would continue to test its 3.5 million residents for COVID-19 until at least June 15, Sky News reported.
Beijing's newest lockdown followed five days of the capital being devoid of restrictions. The city had emerged from a five-week lockdown that began in late April. Parks, schools, shopping centers and restaurants were closed at that time and public transport services throughout Beijing were suspended. (Related: First Shanghai, now Beijing: China goes on another lockdown spree.)
The more than 300 recently recorded COVID-19 cases – including the 74 ones– are all connected to one super-spreader event. The source of the outbreak was a man who visited a 24-hour bar called Heaven Supermarket alongside several other nightclubs.
Heaven Supermarket, which is located in Sanlitun, became popular among young Beijingers after the lockdown for cheap alcohol and large crowds. Patrons can grab a wide selection of spirits and enjoy these inside the establishment. The bar eventually gained a reputation for its tables covered in empty bottles and people falling asleep on sofas after midnight.
Another round of medical martial law in the Chinese capital
Authorities have warned that the current omicron-driven COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing is "ferocious." However, they have not yet announced city-wide lockdown measures. Locals, meanwhile, fear a never-ending cycle of lockdowns – and assurances of a more targeted approach have failed to allay their fears.
The Chinese capital's draconian approach to addressing COVID-19 lines up with the Chinese Communist Party's continued adherence to zero-COVID. Other countries that initially espoused lockdowns during the early days of the pandemic have subsequently dropped most restrictions and adopted a "living with COVID" approach.
China, however, has not – explaining that a more relaxed approach could overwhelm its healthcare system.
State-backed tabloid Beijing Evening News denounced the outbreak at Heaven Supermarket in a commentary piece, attributing the omicron-driven infections to "loopholes and complacency in epidemic prevention." It warned that if the outbreak continues, "consequences could be serious, and would be such that nobody would want to see."
"At a time when normality in the city is being restored, the fall of Heaven Supermarket means the hardship and effort of countless people have been in vain," stated the tabloid.
Mac Slavo of SHTFPlan.com, however, begs to differ.
"There is still an obvious attempt to panic the masses into compliance and acceptance of concentration camps – aptly named 'quarantine camps' – and the domination and control of their lives by a sociopathic bunch of tyrants who want everyone to roll over and willingly accept their slavery," he wrote on June 14.
"Sadly, most have. [But] many are beginning to understand that there is to be a never-ending cycle of lockdowns, compliance, and control leading to permanent enslavement of humanity under a Chinese-like system."
Slavo concluded his piece by saying that "the ruling class will continue locking people down and tossing them in camps until people stand together and refuse to comply."
Watch this G News report about the lockdown in Beijing.
This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Chinese city implements harshest lockdown yet as Beijing aims for "zero-COVID."
Beijing using the coronavirus pandemic to expand internet surveillance apparatus.
Beijing residents stockpiling food and other essentials as new LOCKDOWN orders loom.
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