Beijing, China's COVID-infected capital city, further intensified its efforts to control the spread of the virus by penalizing firms that break laws or evade pandemic containment policies.
Since late April, the city with more than 22 million residents has struggled with hundreds of new cases every day, per Reuters. While most have been identified in quarantine regions, a few have been detected in the general public, demonstrating the difficulty of managing the highly-transmissible Omicron variant.
A senior Beijing health official, Zhong Dongbo, told a news conference on Wednesday that the capital's COVID fight was at a crucial stage.
He noted, though, that Beijing "cannot quieten down entirely" and must keep its economy afloat.
Beijing has increased quarantine measures and tightened workplace attendance regulations this week, with more districts issuing work-from-home rules or guidelines. It has also retaliated against people who violate its directives.
After a series of cases involving a private logistics company within its authority, some employees at the state-run Beijing postal service were either fired or given a stern warning, according to the local anti-corruption watchdog. The regulator claimed the company neglected to perform COVID tests for its personnel and failed to adhere to rigorous vaccination guidelines.
In a separate incident, a few employees at a Beijing branch of the state railway corporation falsified their trip records, according to a separate statement from the watchdog. They have been placed under police investigation.
Meanwhile, the municipality's housing development agency announced Wednesday that certain functions at a large real estate firm in Beijing had been suspended after one employee violated a district-wide mandate to work from home.
How Zero COVID Strategy Impacts Xi Jinping Leadership
As the rest of the world reopens, China's zero COVID policy is encountering waves of opposition. Shanghai residents have fought against food shortages and the government's quarantine of all cases and close contacts.
Students at Beijing's premier Peking University criticized pandemic prevention initiatives on campus earlier this month.
This turmoil occurs during a crucial political year in which Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the ruling Communist Party to preserve calm as he seeks to win a historic third term in government. Instead, the zero COVID scheme is wreaking havoc on the economy, leading to speculation that his government is divided, per a report from Bloomberg.
According to Chen Shih-Min, an associate political science professor at National Taiwan University, "the discontent could spread and lead to doubts about Xi's leadership at a sensitive time" if the Chinese government fails to manage the crisis.
"Party cadres including Shanghai chief Li Qiang are probably aware and trying to tame the practice. But as with all policies, there are bound to slip in execution, " he added.
Shanghai Set To Reopen in June
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported Shanghai had announced plans to gradually reopen after spending over six weeks under lockdown.
According to state media, the opening will be implemented in phases, with local officials stating that "normal life" in the city will return on June 1. Deputy Mayor Zong Ming stated Shanghai's ultimate goal is to resume industrial output and manufacturing, followed by commercial enterprises.
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