* Xi'an has tightened lockdown for 13million residents, telling them not to go outside even to buy food during new round of Covid testing
* Residents in low risk areas will be allowed out to buy essentials once testing is over and provided they are negative, city officials said
* Comes after city reported 175 cases today, its highest toll of current outbreak
* China is sticking to 'zero Covid' strategy despite more-infectious variants
Locked-down residents in one of China's biggest cities say they are at risk of starving in their homes after they were banned from going outside even to buy food under harsh new Covid measures sparked by just a few dozen cases.
Apparatchiks running the city of Xi'an on Monday told 13million people they are only allowed out of their homes when invited to take part in a new round of mass testing, or for medical emergencies.
Previously, one member of each household was allowed out once every two days to buy food.
City officials said people in 'low risk' areas will be allowed out to buy essentials once testing is complete and if their results are negative.
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More News On Covid In China
Xi’an reports highest daily COVID-19 surge; 38-day baby becomes youngest patient -- Global Times
China Local COVID-19 Cases up for 4th Day as Xian Outbreak Expands -- Reuters
China tightens Xi'an lockdown as city reports highest daily Covid-19 cases in nearly 2 years -- CNN
Covid-19 situation in Xian ‘critical’ as China battles to curb spread -- SCMP
Chinese residents ‘starving’ as world’s strictest COVID lockdown bans them leaving home -- NYPost
Covid cases rise in Xi’an as China battles biggest community outbreak since 2020 -- The Guardian