A surge in cases of COVID-19 in Hong Kong has led to the imposition of an immediate, week-long city-wide lockdown in nearby Shenzhen. Hong Kong reported 32,000 cases on Sunday whereas it is understood that around 60 cases were reported in Shenzhen itself over the weekend. As per China’s zero COVID-19 policy, Shenzhen’s 17.5 million residents will now have to undergo three rounds of testing.

The city includes the shipping terminals at Yantian and Da Chan Bay which are likely to face disruption in the coming days as workers are restricted to their homes. Operations at Da Chan Bay Terminals remain normal so far as there have been special arrangements made for frontline staff. However, Yantian Free Trade Zone will be closed from 14th – 20th March. No official restrictions to Yantian Port have been advised and vessels loaded and departing this week will depart as planned.

At this stage, it’s reported that all freight-related airports and operations are working as normal and where lockdowns are in place, our regional teams remain up and running and are working from home. Warehouses in Shenzhen are also closed, including Yantian, Shekou and Da Chan Bay and there is currently no consolidation or LCL available. Many major factories in the area are understood to have closed.

Elsewhere, Shanghai has placed some new restrictions on its residents following on from last week’s lockdown of the industrial centre of Changchun within the north-eastern province of Jilin.