In Shanghai, China's largest economic city, the strict restrictions on going out, which had been going on for more than two months to control the infection of the new coronavirus, were virtually lifted on June 1.
On the other hand, long-term restrictions have spread the impact on the economy, and while Xi Jinping's leadership adheres to the "Zero Corona" policy to thoroughly curb infections, the issue is whether economic activities can be normalized at an early stage.
In Shanghai, China's largest economic city, strict restrictions on going out for the new coronavirus infection continued for more than two months, but Shanghai city officials said that the infection was suppressed in some areas where infected people were recently confirmed. Except for, you are allowed to go out from June 1st.
As a result, restrictions on going out have been virtually lifted, such as allowing more than 22 million residents, which is about 90% of all citizens, to go out.
In the area where many Japanese live in western Shanghai, people were seen working at work on the 1st, and many people visited the commercial facilities for shopping, and the plaza was crowded with parents and children playing balls. Was there.
On the other hand, strict infection control measures taken in Shanghai and other parts of the country have led to a decline in personal consumption and the shutdown of factories, and the Chinese economy is being hit hard.
Furthermore, at Japanese automobile manufacturers, the supply of parts has been delayed due to the spread of logistics disruptions, which is affecting production not only in China but also in Japan.
The Shanghai municipal authorities have announced a policy to fully resume the production of companies and the operation of commercial facilities, and the Chinese government has emphasized its stance to focus on economic measures.
However, while Xi Jinping's leadership adheres to the "Zero Corona" policy to thoroughly curb infection, it is expected that strict measures will be taken if the infection spreads again, and the issue is whether economic activities can be normalized at an early stage. increase.
Gradually relaxed in Beijing
Even in Beijing, the capital city where there was increasing caution about the spread of the new coronavirus, strict infection control measures are gradually being eased as the number of infected people is declining.
In Beijing, the number of infected people has begun to increase since late April, and city officials are demanding that residential areas where infected people are actually infected be blocked, and that they work from home in areas with many infected people. We have taken measures against infection such as.
Under these circumstances, the number of infected people has been decreasing in Beijing recently, and the number of infected people confirmed on May 31 is only about 10.
City officials are gradually easing infection control, of which in Chaoyang, the city center, where many Japanese companies are located, has allowed them to work normally earlier this week, as well as closed parks. It is now available and large commercial facilities are reopening.
In addition, the blockade of subway stations and the suspension of local bus services are beginning to be lifted.
However, eating and drinking inside the store is still prohibited throughout the city, and measures such as requiring the presentation of a negative PCR test certificate are being taken when entering or exiting public places or using the subway or bus. ..
At Shanghai Okinawan restaurant
While restrictions on going out have been virtually lifted in Shanghai, eating and drinking inside restaurants is not yet permitted as of June 1, but restaurants in the city are preparing to resume operations in the future. Preparations were in progress.
Of these, Keisuke Nishihara (34), who runs an Okinawan restaurant in the western region where many Japanese live, visited the restaurant for the first time in about two months since the strict restrictions on going out began.
Then, in preparation for the resumption of business in the future, we were preparing with Chinese employees, such as wiping tables and bottles of liquor.
However, most of the ingredients and seasonings stored in the refrigerator had to be disposed of, and many of the foliage plants that were displayed at the entrance of the store in the image of a tropical country had died.
While the authorities have not given permission to eat and drink in the store, for the time being, we will secure sales while receiving orders for delivery.
Mr. Nishihara said, "I'm worried that I have to pay rent and employee salaries for the past two months without any sales. However, I can't help but look behind me, so I can do whatever I can. I want to protect the store and employees. "
Long line for PCR testing
In Shanghai, the restrictions on going out have been virtually lifted, but when using the subway or local bus or entering public facilities, a negative PCR test within 72 hours is required, and in the city, Many people were inspected on June 1st.
According to the Shanghai Municipal Authority, there are about 15,000 inspection stations set up in various parts of the city so that citizens can be inspected within a 15-minute walk from their homes. Many people had long lines in search of inspection.
In addition, a negative PCR test certificate was required when entering the supermarket, and the visiting customers went shopping after showing the test results to the staff.
In addition, the plaza of the commercial facility was crowded with many parents and children, and visitors enjoyed going out freely by playing balls and relaxing on the lawn.
Shanghai Japanese logistics company
The key to recovering the economy, which was hit by restrictions on going out in Shanghai, is whether we can promptly resume production and resolve logistics disruptions.
In China, the index showing consumption trends in April fell by more than 11% compared to the same month last year, and industrial production also turned negative for the first time in two years and one month.
Confusion has spread to logistics, and cargo trucks have been hindered in the area around Shanghai, where parts manufacturers are concentrated. There was also a situation to do.
Total trade in ports and airports under the jurisdiction of Shanghai Customs authorities in April fell significantly by 40.5% compared to the same month last year, and exports to Japan also fell by 57.3%.
At a Japanese logistics company in Shanghai that resumed work in the office from June 1, employees showed a negative certificate on their smartphones and went to work, as well as containers that had been kept in the port for about two months. I brought it to the warehouse and disinfected it.
According to this company, the restrictions on the passage of vehicles in the city have been lifted along with the lifting of restrictions on going out, so it is expected that logistics will be normalized in the future.
On the other hand, some employees are still unable to go to work due to infection control measures, so the issue is whether the requested cargo can be delivered quickly during the restricted period.
He also points out that if production activities in Shanghai recover in the future and cargo increases at a stretch, logistics such as port work may be disrupted again.
Mr. Akihiro Tanaka of the Shanghai Marukyo Transport Sales Department said, "I had a feeling of impatience and giving up because I was damaged in terms of sales and the things I could do were quite limited. However, I think there remains a concern that we must assume the risk of a similar situation suddenly occurring in a city other than Shanghai. "