EU firms complain about COVID-19 restrictions, uncertainty in China

European companies operating in China are suffering badly from the restrictions imposed by China’s strict zero-COVID policy, the chairman of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, Joerg Wuttke, said on Monday.
“The uncertainty makes everything very difficult. What will happen next? When will the next lockdown be implemented,” Mr Wuttke said.
Chamber representatives reported that freight transport between cities is difficult and businesses have had to suspend or reduce production, all of which adds up to severe supply chain disruption.
Many of China’s metropolitan areas are affected by restrictions due to COVID-19 outbreaks, some of which are minor in scale.
Shanghai, the country’s economic and financial centre, has been under a lockdown involving strict curfews for millions of people for six weeks.
Mr Wuttke said that the authorities had been forced to impose draconian measures because China was still a long way from achieving herd immunity.
“Instead of accelerating the vaccination of the elderly, they have actually slowed down,” he said.
More than 100 million people in China over the age of 60 have not yet been fully vaccinated.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

States
Police kill gunmen enforcing sit-at-home in Anambra
The police said they also recovered a white Toyota Hiace Bus with no registration number.

Africa
Over 10 million people at risk of hunger in northern Africa: Red Cross
At least two million are currently displaced in the West African countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania.

Politics
Deborah Samuel: Tambuwal resumes presidential campaign in Lokoja
The governor had barely allowed the dust of Deborah Samuel’s death to settle before hitting the road again ahead of 2023.

Faith
Teenager drags father to Sharia court over refusal to give marriage consent
The court said the girl will be married off with the parents’ consent if the girl’s father refuses to give his blessings.

Rights
Usifo Ataga’s Murder: Court adjourns Chidinma Ojukwu’s trial till May 23
On May 12, it was said that the trial could no longer hold due to a change of counsel by the third defendant, Ms Egbuchu.

World
Ukraine War: McDonald’s leaves Russia after 30 years
The company said it was looking for a buyer in Russia, would undergo a “de-arching,” and continue to pay its 62,000 employees in Russia until a deal finalises.