It has been 28 days and a month since the strict restrictions on going out to curb the spread of the new coronavirus infection began in earnest in Shanghai, China.
With the spread of the infection unstoppable and the restrictions uncertain, many citizens have been forced to live inconveniently, and Xi Jinping's leadership, who has continued the "Zero Corona" policy, is forced to steer difficult. I am.
In Shanghai, China, strict restrictions on going out began in earnest on the 28th of last month following the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
Although the number of infected people has been declining recently, the number of infected people has exceeded 10,000 every day, with 10,622 infected people being confirmed a day on the 27th, and one month has passed since the restrictions on going out began. However, the spread of the infection has not been stopped.
If even one infected person is confirmed in a residential area, going out in the vicinity is restricted for 14 days, and it is not expected that the restriction will be lifted in many areas.
Also, in central Shanghai, few people can be seen except police officers and delivery staff.
Under these circumstances, it is difficult to procure food and other daily necessities in some areas, and many citizens are forced to live inconveniently.
On the other hand, the number of infected people has begun to increase in the capital city of Beijing, and since 25th of this month, about 20 million people, 90% of the population, have been subjected to a total of three PCR tests in sequence, and they have gone out in some areas. There are also restrictions.
Beijing officials said that 50 infected people were confirmed on the 27th, and on the 28th, they are continuing to be on high alert, such as setting two new areas subject to outing restrictions.
Xi Jinping's leadership has not changed its stance of adhering to the "Zero Corona" policy to thoroughly curb infection, but the impact on citizens' lives and the economy is spreading, especially in Shanghai, and it is being forced to steer difficult. ..
If even one infected person is confirmed ... Continued outing restrictions
In the condominium where NHK cameramen live in the western part of Shanghai, there is almost no movement of people outdoors except for the occasional delivery staff in protective clothing.
In addition, the surrounding roads remain quiet except for cars and motorcycles that deliver supplies and police vehicles that patrol the area.
In this condominium, no one has been confirmed to be infected for more than a month, and movement was permitted only within the premises of the condominium.
However, on the 27th, when a PCR test was conducted on all residents, some residents needed to be retested, and on the morning of the 28th, the authorities notified them not to go out of the room. had.
Authorities say that if even one infected person is confirmed, they will continue to be restricted from going out for 14 days, and it is expected that they will be forced to live inconveniently for a longer period of time.
"The'Zero Corona'policy is not feasible," said Shanghai citizens.
A woman in her 40s living in the city anonymously responded to an online interview with NHK, questioning the Chinese government's response as strict restrictions on going out continued in Shanghai.
The woman, along with her husband and two children, lives in the western part of Shanghai, where many Japanese live.
The restrictions on going out in the area were initially expected to end in a few days, so she said she didn't buy much food and she said, "After a week, the fridge was empty and scared." Spoke.
Nowadays, residents living in apartments can buy foods together, but it is difficult to get other daily necessities, so "people with health problems cannot get medicines. There are supplies provided by the Shanghai municipal authorities, but I'm worried that they won't reach the elderly, migrant workers, and foreigners who don't speak Chinese. " Said.
On top of that, regarding the response of the Chinese government, "I will not explain how long the restrictions on going out will continue, so I am only getting distrust and anxiety. The" Zero Corona "policy will proceed at such a large price and without the trust of the people. If so, I don't think it fits, and I feel that it may not be possible. "
Japanese logistics company "Approximately 50% to 60% reduction has a large impact on Japan"
Due to strict restrictions on going out, Japanese logistics companies in Shanghai are also faced with difficult responses.
Luggage sorting work can only be done by employees who sleep in a facility on the same site as the warehouse, and at this company, the person in charge wearing protective clothing disinfects and sorts the luggage.
In addition, there is a shortage of personnel to deliver packages to the warehouse.
This is because it is difficult to secure a driver due to restrictions on going out, and the number of pass permits issued by the authorities is limited.
In addition, there is congestion on the highways where trucks carrying luggage travel to and from ports and outskirts.
This is because strict control continues, such as requiring the driver to prove a negative PCR test performed within 48 hours.
The company is trying to minimize the impact by utilizing ports and airports other than Shanghai or switching to rail transportation, but it is affecting various operations from sorting to delivery.
Due to the suspension of production activities, the transportation of electronic parts to Japan has also been delayed.
NX International Logistics China's Vice President Tsune Shimonoda said, "It seems that logistics related to Shanghai has decreased by about 50% to 60%, and the impact on the operation of Japanese consumers and factories is also very large. I want to collect and implement an appropriate business continuity plan to survive an emergency. "
Logistics stagnation data at Shanghai port reveals expert "maybe protracted confusion"
The data revealed that the logistics of the port, which is the base of the international supply chain = supply network in Shanghai, are stagnant.
There is concern that the impact will spread further if it is prolonged.
Shanghai Port is the world's largest port in terms of container handling volume and is a cornerstone of international logistics.
However, it has been pointed out that the utilization rate of work at the port has dropped and the movement of cargo ships has stagnated due to the shortage of truck drivers due to the strict restrictions on going out in Shanghai.
This time, NHK received data on the position information of vessels navigating the sea and rivers from the "IHI Jet Service," which analyzes satellite data, and based on this, proceeded with its own analysis of the movement of cargo ships. rice field.
As of the 1st of last month, before the restrictions on going out in Shanghai began, the movement of cargo ships was active, and the number of cargo ships confirmed in the offshore area where ships wait for entry was about 730 per day. bottom.
On the other hand, as of the 16th of this month, the number of cargo ships confirmed was about 940, an increase of nearly 30%, and the number of ships staying offshore is visibly increasing.
Regarding this, Professor Takuma Matsuda of Takushoku University, who is familiar with international logistics, said, "As a result of the deterioration of the function of the port in Shanghai, it has become difficult to enter and exit from the port, and many cargo ships are waiting offshore." He pointed out that it was crowded with the forced cargo ship.
On top of that, Professor Matsuda said, "If this situation continues, parts and final products will not arrive from China to various places, which may prolong the logistics disruption of Corona. Even if the restrictions on going out are lifted, luggage will be left in the port. It will take about a month to recover because it has accumulated. "
Due to the turmoil in logistics in China, some companies in Japan have already been forced to suspend factories or reduce production.
The Chinese government has stated that "ship operations at Shanghai Port are relatively normal," but there are concerns that the impact on the international supply chain will further increase.