Shanghai enhanced the flow of food and essential supplies to incarcerated citizens, in response to growing dissatisfaction with issues such as COVID curbs, which had entered their 11th day. To combat the spread of COVID, the city established tight movement restrictions, with only healthcare staff, volunteers, delivery persons, and people with special permission allowed on the streets.

The restrictions have decreased the number of courier services. Though Shanghai claims to have ample supplies of essentials such as rice and pork, due to epidemic control measures, challenges with distribution and last-mile delivery have risen considerably. Many locals are becoming concerned about essential needs such as food and drinking water, as well as the supplies like infant formula. Attempts to reopen some wholesale marketplaces and food outlets were being made. Action against price gouging was also being considered.

Shanghai reported around 20,000 new locally transmitted cases on Wednesday, 98 percent of which were asymptomatic, according to numerous rounds of testing. Despite the lockdowns, transmissions were still taking place. 633 of the 19,660 asymptomatic illnesses included patients who were not quarantined or subjected to control measures. Hundreds of buildings in Shanghai have been turned into quarantine facilities. No indication has been given as to when the curfew would be lifted. (Reuters, April 7, 2022)