Long queues for mass testing in Beijing as virus fears mount

Fears of a hard Covid lockdown sparked panic buying in Beijing as long lines formed on Monday in a large central district for mass testing ordered by the Chinese authorities.

China is trying to contain a wave of infections in its largest city, Shanghai, which has been almost entirely locked down for weeks and reported 51 new Covid deaths on Monday.

Patients reported difficulty accessing non-Covid medical care in the capital, and the rise in cases in the capital triggered fears of a similar lock-down.

The largest district of Chaoyang, home to around 3.5 million people, ordered mass testing from Monday for residents and those coming to work there -- the area is home to the headquarters of many multinational firms and embassies.

As people waited to be swabbed by health workers in protective gear, queues snaked around malls and outside office complexes on Monday.

If a single case is found, this area could be affected, said Yao Leiming, 25, who headed for a testing site in Chaoyang with a group of colleagues.

The mass testing order and warnings of a grim Covid situation in the city caused a run on Sunday at Beijing's supermarkets as residents rushed to stock essentials.

People were seen pushing shopping carts stacked with food, while many items were sold out on grocery delivery apps when checked by the AFP on Sunday -- especially for deliveries to Chaoyang.

Many of the fitness studios and gyms in the capital have cancelled classes or closed.

Beijing has imposed tight controls on entry to the city, with travellers having to have a negative Covid test from within 48 hours.

China is trying to defeat its worst outbreak in two years with its zero-Covid playbook, which includes strict lockdowns, mass testing and travel restrictions.

The approach has taken a heavy toll on businesses and public morale, as it helped China escape the large-scale public health disasters seen elsewhere in the world during the Covid crisis.