China: COVID-19 Vaccines – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment

[We did not identify official announcements about Shanghai confirming the reports below; See China CDC below for additional announcements]

Shanghai marks COVID milestone, Beijing on edge
By Brenda Goh and Min Zhang
Shanghai records no COVID cases outside quarantine areas
Beijing on tenterhooks, bracing for more restrictions
Breakthrough would mark victory for Xi in crucial year
Infections ease as China starts Labour Day holiday

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, April 30 (Reuters) – Shanghai said on Saturday it had detected no new daily COVID-19 cases outside quarantine areas, marking a milestone in its battle to contain the virus, which has paralysed the city of 25 million and put residents in the capital Beijing on edge.

Streets in Beijing were eerily quiet at the start of a five-day Labour Day break, with residents anxious that authorities would impose further restrictions during a holiday when many typically travel or socialise…

…Beijing will also implement a further two rounds of COVID tests on May 1 and May 3 in its most populous district of Chaoyang, known for its night life, malls and embassies.

The city will halt all restaurant dining between May 1 and 4, an official from the local commerce bureau said, calling for residents to “cook at home”.

Officials have provided no timeline or strategy for returning to some semblance of normality.

Nomura estimates 46 cities are in full or partial lockdowns, affecting 343 million people. Societe Generale estimates that provinces experiencing significant restrictions account for 80% of China’s economic output.

In response to COVID and other headwinds, China will step up policy support for the economy, a top decision-making body of the Communist Party said on Friday, lifting stocks from two-year lows. read more

Shanghai reported 47 COVID-19 deaths for Friday, down from 52 a day earlier. Some have questioned the fatality rate, as many residents have said relatives or friends have died after catching coronavirus as early as March.

Beijing has reported 295 new COVID-19 cases since April 22, the local health authority said, of which 123 cases were found in the Chaoyang district.

Overall, mainland China reported 10,793 daily COVID-19 cases, down from 15,688 new cases a day earlier, the National Health Commission said on Saturday…