Shanghai people 'not free to fly' out of homes as COVID cases tick back up

Workers in protective suits prepare to disinfect a residential compound in Huangpu district, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Shanghai, China April 20, 2022. China Daily via REUTERS

SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Shanghai authorities said on Thursday tough restrictions would remain in place for now even in districts which managed to cut COVID-19 transmission to zero, prolonging the agony for many residents who have been stuck at home for most of this month.

That sober assessment, prompted by an unexpected rise in the number of cases outside quarantined areas, came after health officials earlier in the week had fuelled hopes of some return to normal by saying that trends in recent days showed Shanghai had "effectively curbed transmissions".