In many Chinese cities, residents have to scan QR codes and show their health status on their phones. Image source.

Comments by Brian Shilhavy
Editor, Health Impact News

Earlier this month (June, 2022) we reported how over 1 million residents in China’s Henan Province were prevented from withdrawing their money from their bank, with many losing their entire life savings. See:

As Some Lockdowns in China End, People Beg the Government for Freedom Trying to Escape Medical Tyranny

Now it is being reported this week that as many protesters were heading to Henan province’s capital Zhengzhou to demand to get their money back, Chinese health authorities used their COVID-19 tracking app to turn up “red,” forcing them into quarantine, in order to stop the protests.

This is what happens when citizens freely give up their freedom to comply with government medical tyranny and let them track their movements and health status.

China is allegedly using its Covid tracking system to stop protests

News.com.au

China relies on a vast coronavirus surveillance infrastructure to carry out rigorous contact tracing as part of its zero-Covid strategy to stamp out all outbreaks.

Residents are required to scan codes on their smartphones to access public venues and transport nationwide. Those with red codes – either infected themselves or contacts of a Covid case – have their movement severely restricted.

Reports emerged this week of numerous disgruntled bank customers getting a red code when they attempted to travel to Henan province’s capital Zhengzhou to demand access to their money after withdrawals were frozen last month.

“Seeing this sent shivers down my spine. Uncontrolled power is too frightening,” wrote a user on Weibo, a Twitter-like social media platform, where hashtags related to the reports were trending Wednesday with tens of millions of views.

“It’s clearly abuse of power,” read another comment.

One bank customer suddenly received a red code when they arrived in the city, despite having a negative PCR virus test result, state media reported.

Another got it without even leaving their home, while some had their red codes turn green when they left Zhengzhou, reported Global Times, a state-run tabloid.

“This kind of behaviour is not only against social morality, but also suspected of breaking the law,” read a commentary published by the outlet.

Its former editor and prominent commentator Hu Xijin on Tuesday called it a “breach of pandemic prevention laws” that “damages the support of the people for the fight against the virus”.

Health authorities in Zhengzhou told AFP they were “currently investigating” the situation but provided no further details.

Global Times cited Henan authorities as saying a database glitch may be the cause.

Thousands of customers at four rural banks in Henan have had their savings frozen since mid-April after withdrawals were suddenly suspended, as China’s smaller lenders strain under an economic slowdown that has worsened under the zero-Covid policy.

The freeze triggered rare street protests last month, with total frozen deposits estimated to be as much as $1.5 billion, Chinese financial magazine Caixin reported.