China Extends , Shanghai , COVID Lockdown.br 'The Independent' reports that Shanghai has extended its lockdown of most of its 26 million residents to prevent the spread of COVID-19.br The broad lockdown is specifically meant br to stop the spread of the highly-transmissible Omicron subvariant, BA.2.br According to official guidance, br citizens of Shanghai will be required to stay home br for as long as the outbreak remains a concern. .br Many of these citizens have reportedly br been told to not cross their doorsteps br even to take out garbage or walk pets. .br 'The Independent' reports that public transport br has been suspended in most of the city. .br Non-essential businesses, such as br shopping malls and restaurants, br have been forced to close. .br The lockdown began on March 28 br and was originally meant to br be in place for 10 days. .br According to 'The Independent,' Shanghai has become br the testing grounds for the government's handling of br a "dynamic clearance" approach to a COVID-19 outbreak. .br This approach reportedly aims to test for, br trace and quarantine all positive cases. .br Residents are required to br undergo nucleic acid tests carried out br by healthcare workers wearing hazmat suits. .br On April 1, the city said that the br daily tally of infections had fallen br for the second day in a row.