A Chinese city has sparked a backlash on social media after saying it would consider the use of lockdowns in the event of an influenza outbreak. However, Xi’an’s emergency response plan will not necessarily be used. Throughout the pandemic, China had enforced some of the world’s most severe Covid restrictions, including lockdowns that stretched into months in some cities. Shortly before China removed its pandemic era restrictions the country had been rocked by a series of demonstrations against its zero-Covid policy. I wouldn’t expect a lockdown to be needed for flu, but presumably there are different response levels,” he said.

Source: CNN March 12, 2023 00:38 UTC