Shanghai will conduct citywide nucleic acid screening in batches starting from Monday morning, local authorities announced Sunday night.
A medical staff member collects samples for nucleic acid testing in Yangpu District, Shanghai, March 18, 2022./CFP
The tests will start from 5 a.m. Monday, mainly in two batches with the Huangpu River as the boundary, according to a statement the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality posted on China's Twitter-like Weibo.
The first batch will cover the area on the east side of the river, including all of Pudong, Punan and adjacent areas. Testing will be conducted from Monday morning at 5 a.m. until Friday morning at 5 a.m.
The second batch of testing, for people in Puxi, the west side of the river, will be carried out from Friday morning at 3 a.m. to the following Tuesday morning.
According to the authorities, areas under the virus testing program will be put under strict management with people not allowed to leave their houses. All non-emergency public transport will be closed.
Meanwhile, all business activities will be carried out on a closed-door or remote working basis.
Governments of all levels and suppliers should ensure daily necessities supply and citizens' emergency medical needs should be met.
On Saturday, Shanghai registered 45 new local confirmed cases and 2,631 local asymptomatic carriers of the coronavirus.
