Guangzhou Sends Non-Locals Home to Ease Pressure as Covid Cases Jump

The southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou has started sending non-locals living in Covid risk areas back to their hometowns to ease pressure on local authorities, who have been left reeling from a surge in cases and rare public unrest triggered by strict restrictions.

In a news conference Thursday, city authorities said that there have been cases of residents under strict restrictions who’ve flagrantly flouted Covid rules by moving in and out of designated zones or even “gathering in masses to break through” anti-virus barriers to make their exit. Such behavior has increased the risk of further cross-infection, the authorities said.