LONG ARM OF THE STATE

Chinese Officials Apologize for Breaking Into Homes in Search of COVID Cases

Authorities in Guangzhou broke into 84 apartments in one building on July 10, searching for people who either tested positive or were close contacts.

In a Monday statement, Chinese officials admitted to, and apologized for, breaking into 84 apartments on July 10 to search for people who either tested positive for COVID-19 or were close contacts on July 10. Guangzhou authorities issued the rare apology after facing widespread backlash on social media from residents who felt violated by the break-ins and even claimed their locks were broken. In the statement, city officials said the break-ins were not the appropriate way to conduct the search and that residents would have their locks fixed and be financially compensated an unspecified amount. Because of China’s zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy, anyone who tests positive or is deemed a close contact has to quarantine in government facilities for several days. Government officials also described the break-ins, which occurred in one residential building, as “simple and crude” and “deeply distressing,” promising to investigate and punish those responsible.