In Shanghai, China's largest economic city, where infection with the new coronavirus is spreading, strict restrictions on going out are being gradually imposed throughout the city.


In the eastern region, on April 1, the restrictions on going out were lifted, but the restrictions were extended one after another in residential areas where infected people came out, and there are growing concerns about the impact on the lives of citizens and the economy.

As the infection of the new coronavirus spreads, the Chinese government reportedly infected nearly 104,000 people nationwide in the last month on April 1, of which more than 36,000 were infected in Shanghai. Was confirmed.



The Shanghai city authorities have divided the entire city into two areas and are gradually restricting going out, starting from the 1st in the western area where many Japanese live.



On the other hand, in the eastern region, although the restrictions on going out, which had been enforced since March 28, were lifted on April 1, there are a number of places where restrictions have been extended for a certain period of time, such as residential areas where infected people have appeared.



Shanghai city officials have set up at least nine facilities in the city to isolate people who have been confirmed to be infected by a temporary PCR test for all citizens, and it is estimated that a total of more than 20,000 infected people can be accommodated. Has been done.



This measure in Shanghai is shorter than in other cities, and the city authorities seem to have considered the impact on the economic activities of Shanghai, the largest economic city. There is growing concern about its impact on the economy.

Impact on Japanese companies continues

The strict restrictions on going out in Shanghai continue to affect Japanese companies.



Daihatsu says that due to the shortage of parts supply from its business partners, some of the finished vehicle factories in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture will be shut down for four days, following one night.



In addition, although the restrictions on the eastern region where Pudong Airport, which has many international flights, were lifted on March 31, employees living in the west, where restrictions on going out began to be replaced, cannot go to work. The freight flight to be connected has been canceled.



Of these, ANA says that 6 flights will be canceled on the 2nd, and flights after the 3rd will be judged based on the infection status, etc., and Japan Airlines will cancel all flights on the 2nd, from the 3rd to the 5th. We have decided to cancel some flights up to.



Since many electronic parts and semiconductors are transported between Shanghai and Japan, it has been pointed out that if the cancellation is prolonged, the impact on the production of companies may spread.



In addition, at the port of Shanghai in the same eastern part, the Chinese media has seen a significant delay in cargo unloading and loading work due to stricter infection control measures for drivers who deliver cargo. It is reported that the offshore area is crowded with ships waiting to enter the port.



Since the port of Shanghai has the largest container handling volume in the world, it has been pointed out that prolonged delays in work may lead to disruption of the international distribution network.

Japan-China Economic Association Shanghai Office Manager "About 80% of the transportation network is mahi"

Nobu Sasahara, director of the Japan-China Economic Association's Shanghai office, which supports economic exchanges between Japan and China, says that there is a lot of information about the impact of restrictions on going out in Shanghai on business.



Director Sasahara said, "According to a local Japanese transportation company, I heard that the transportation network for land, sea, and air is about 80%. In companies such as the manufacturing industry, it is very difficult to procure goods and carry out finished products. It is becoming difficult. The factories of parts makers related to major automobile makers are also shut down. "



On the other hand, regarding the fact that this measure divides the entire city of Shanghai into two areas and the period of restrictions on going out is shorter than in other cities, "Production, logistics, and people, including in China and overseas. If we restrict going out in Shanghai, which is the base of traffic, it will have a huge impact on the domestic and overseas markets, so it may be a painstaking measure to reduce the damage to the economy as much as possible. "



On top of that, even if the restrictions were lifted, there is a possibility that restrictions on going out may continue under certain conditions in areas where infected people have appeared, and there was concern that the impact would be prolonged.

The city calms down due to restrictions on going out

A video of western Shanghai taken after 8 pm on March 31 before the restrictions on going out shows that the town, which is usually crowded with people for walks and shopping, is quiet and almost uncrowded.



You can also see that small stores such as convenience stores close earlier than usual, and ropes are stretched around the stores to keep people away.

In addition, milk and soft drink shelves are empty at supermarkets, and most vegetables are sold out.



In the video taken on the morning of April 1st, when the restrictions on going out began, people were usually not seen in places where commuting bicycles and pedestrians came and went, and the city was quiet.

"Shanghai Fashion Week" postponed

Kimito Kodama, who is based in Shanghai and handles online sales and branding of Japanese fashion brand clothing, said about the impact of this outing restriction, "Employees can no longer go to work and logistics is stagnant, so we will sell products. Customers who purchased the product without being delivered to other cities in China are told that shipping will be suspended for at least 4 days. However, some customers will wait, "I understand the situation, but I'm in trouble." Some customers complain. "



Regarding sales at physical stores that sell clothing, etc., "March has decreased to about one-fifth compared to the same period of the previous year. Online sales are almost zero because distribution has stopped. It could get worse in April, ”he said, and was concerned about the business impact of the prolonged period.



Mr. Kodama was scheduled to participate in the latest fashion exhibition "Shanghai Fashion Week" scheduled from March 25, but it was postponed due to the spread of infection.



She said, "The Chinese market is big and it's important to take a lot of orders here, so it's hard to be honest that the postponement date is undecided."