China anti-virus curbs spur fears of global economic impact

People wearing face masks walk past as a worker in a protective suit places closure notices on restaurants at a shuttered commercial office building in Beijing (Andy Wong/AP)

Anti-virus controls that are confining millions of Chinese families to their homes and closing shops and offices are spurring fears of further damage to already weak global business and trade.

The ruling Communist Party promised on November 11 to reduce disruption from its “zero-Covid” strategy by making controls more flexible, but the latest wave of outbreaks is challenging that, prompting major cities including Beijing to close off populous districts, shut stores and offices and order factories to isolate their workforces from outside contact.