China shuts down international borders due to COVID
January 12, 2022
China had shut down its international borders, and numerous cities in China. On November 11, China also tightened COVID guidelines. However, China previously, at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in 2020, locked down Wuhan with its sprawling population of ten million people. Now, China has adapted to the situation by installing a zero-tolerance policy to halt the spread of the pervasive and virulent virus. At first, it may have seemed that China had the best intentions; however, China has used the policy to harass citizens, track contacts, and force thousands of citizens into quarantine. The Human Rights Association was alarmed that Chinese citizens’ human rights will be violated. For instance, a corgi was killed by COVID Prevention Workers, as the owner begged to not kill the puppy. Horrifically, the Corgi was killed due to the fact that the owner had COVID. Outrage spread on social media faster than coronavirus, as the video. Individual rights have been severely violated during the pandemic–angst grows as many wonder how the Chinese government’s power remains unfettered and unchecked.
Turning to the daily lives of China’s citizens, the majority of citizens are prohibited from traveling overseas. There are few if any international flights and no new passports are being granted unless deemed essential. Furthermore, no students, tourists, or visitors are welcome, and people who do enter have to undergo extreme quarantine for 14 days; however, the quarantine can last as long as 28 days with local authorities observing the quarantined person intently, providing little to no privacy.
During the pandemic, quarantine facilities were built overseas; many citizens were moved to those locations. Other consequences of the pandemic include China’s borders remaining closed to its citizens and restricting its citizens’ movement domestically as well as internationally. Tellingly, the main Chinese leaders have not engaged in any travel visits either. Xi Jinping, China’s President’s last known trip was to Myanmar. Moreover, this has caused traditional culture to rise as Xi continues to admonish citizens about western values and the dangers of a democracy. As a result, narrow-minded individuals who support nationalism are using the coronavirus to further their agenda. Experts dwell on how this will affect the future of China and future generations. Will future generations remain complacent with China’s restrictions and bans or will they rebel, ushering in a new era? With coronavirus now a new norm only time will tell.