Shutting it all down. As Nanjing finds COVID’s spread to be consistent rather than exponential, more steps are nevertheless being taken to further restrict the virus’ reach, to stop it in its tracks and, to a degree, our personal freedoms.
Announced this morning were a further 31 confirmed cases of COVID in Nanjing, taking the total in this new outbreak to 106, since 20 July. To put that in perspective, through the peak of the virus last spring, Nanjing only accumulated 93 cases. And thankfully, no deaths.
But they were citywide. This time around, the outbreak remains largely confined to the area around Nanjing Lukou International Airport. Of the 75 cases announced up until this morning, fully 40 are airport staff, of whom 34 are engaged in cleaning work, with others such as drivers, ground staff, auxiliary police and plumbers, reports The Paper.
While today’s news can be in some way thought of as encouraging, there can be no let up in efforts to contain the outbreak where it is. Hence the new measures which went into effect today.
At midnight last night, Nanjing suspended the operation of eight long-distance passenger bus stations, while the city’s taxis are now not permitted to leave Nanjing. This goes for online car-hailing too.
Then there is where we live. Announced yesterday evening was “full control of entry and exit” for residential communities citywide. Proven to be an effective strategy last year, this means closing down all but one gate to every community in Nanjing. However, there are exceptions. The Nanjinger has learned that some very large communities have been permitted to keep more than gate open.
And with delivery riders and couriers not now permitted to enter residential communities, that for many means a walk to the gate to pick up groceries and/or their beloved takeaway.
The Nanjinger spoke with Carrie Cao, who lives in Nanjing’s central Gulou District. She said, “I think we have experience about this situation because it’s the second time to face COVID. Everyone keeps calm. But it’s not convenient for young people to get takeaway foods”.
But others have gone off the idea of having their meals delivered. When the travel track of one of the positive cases showed them hopping on several different forms of public transport and having a meal at a fast-food restaurant off Shengtai Xi Lu in Jiangning District, the flags went up.
The Nanjinger spoke with a local resident living in the vicinity. “I really don’t feel safe with ordering takeaway from these parts anymore”, they said. “I’m having to learn how to cook all over again”.
