Enduring Isolation in Shanghai’s Ongoing Zero-Covid Lockdown
China’s persistent “dynamic zero-covid” strategy has led to an ongoing lockdown in Shanghai, starting in March. For Singaporean headhunter Ting Tze Siang, who has been living in Shanghai for 13 years, the lockdown began immediately after he finished a three-week quarantine. Now in his eighth week of isolation, Ting shares his experiences navigating empty streets, food shortages, and an unpredictable food supply. Group-buying and barter trading have become part of the new norm in Shanghai estates, as residents band together to cope with scarcity and long isolation periods.
At first, there were no official declarations of lockdown, but Ting realized the severity of the situation as mass testing extended from the initial “two plus two” testing cycle. Though the lockdown was more stringent than 2020, the government has provided occasional essentials, like frozen chicken and duck, but Ting notes it’s insufficient to rely on entirely. As group-buying started in the estates, neighbors began trading and even bartering items like cola and shampoo, creating a sense of camaraderie despite the challenging situation.
The mental toll of isolation has begun to affect many, with residents voicing frustrations in online groups or even engaging in altercations. Despite the hardships, Ting stays connected through virtual work, although his profession as a headhunter is hindered by the lack of in-person interaction needed for evaluating senior hires.
Ting remains cautious about the future, especially with vaccination efforts lagging behind in Shanghai compared to Singapore’s managed approaches. While some of his peers have moved back to Singapore, Ting plans to stay, as Shanghai is where he’s built his career and friendships over the last 13 years. With no end in sight for the lockdown, the lingering question remains: when will Shanghai’s restrictions finally lift?
