Dongguan follows Shenzhen into lockdown

Dongguan, a city of 10 million in Guangdong, was placed in a weeklong lockdown for mass testing - a day after the same measure was imposed in Shenzhen, where some residents were blaming Hong Kong for their situation.

All public transport and dine-in services at restaurants in Dongguan have been suspended until Sunday.

Some in Shenzhen, a city of 17 million, have complained about supplies being transported to Hong Kong.

"Shenzhen residents are blocking imported cases from Hong Kong with their lives. As a result, Shenzhen still has to provide supplies to Hong Kong even after being locked down. Why? Hong Kong is so precious that the country has to serve it?" an online user said.

Dongguan recorded two local cases and 140 asymptomatic patients on Sunday. Since the city's outbreak started on February 25, it has recorded over 1,000 cases -187 patients and 993 asymptomatic carriers.

The Dongguan government said there will be multiple rounds of citywide testing. All residential estates were put under closed-loop management. Most people are not allowed to leave the city unless necessary and those with special reasons can only leave with a negative testing result within 24 hours.

Schools and tutoring institutions were ordered to suspend face-to-face classes and universities were put under closed-loop management. Public premises - including gyms, cinemas, bars, libraries and hair salons - were closed. Those providing essential daily supplies - supermarkets, wet markets and pharmacies - can only operate at half capacity and under strict measures.

In Shenzhen, supermarkets and wet markets were still open but shelves were empty after panic buying on Sunday, when the government imposed a lockdown that will last until March 20.

Vegetables, fresh meat, frozen food, instant noodles and canned food at supermarkets and convenience stores were all snapped up last night.

But supermarkets restocked quickly yesterday and ensured there will be enough daily supplies this week.

Still, more than 100 people traveled to the mainland city from Hong Kong through Shenzhen Bay Port yesterday.

Travelers from Hong Kong have to undergo a 14-day hotel quarantine and many of them believe the pandemic in Shenzhen will be under control when they come out of isolation.

A mainlander surnamed Feng said she decided to go back to Shenzhen, adding it is safer than Hong Kong.

"The pandemic there is not as severe as Hong Kong ... and it's safer to stay in Shenzhen," she said.

Some traveled from Shenzhen to Hong Kong, including a mainlander surnamed Zhu. He said: "Shenzhen was not yet completely locked down and some residential estates just closed by themselves."

Foxconn, meanwhile, said it will suspend the operation of iPhone factories in Shenzhen and has moved its production line to other cities.

Separately, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said supplies to Hong Kong will not be affected. Lam added she has sent her gratitude and concerns to Shenzhen authorities and believes the outbreaks will be controlled under the leadership of the central government.

Lam also said Hong Kong does not have the capability and manpower to conduct a citywide testing like Shenzhen in the coming few days.

Sources said the SAR government is planning to set up 500 stations for mandatory testing and will ask civil servants to help.

It is understood that the testing will be conducted when the number of infections drops to four digits.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com