CHINESE police are investigating a woman for allegedly fabricating “rumours” that Beijing will enter a three-day lockdown, said officials today, after the claims on social media prompted panic buying across the capital.

China is digging in its heels on a zero-Covid strategy to stamp out clusters as they emerge, hitting hundreds of areas across the capital with some form of restrictions, including hard lockdowns.

Residents rushed to supermarkets yesterday to stock up on groceries as rumours spread that stay-at-home orders will soon be announced. Dining out is already put on pause and many tourist attractions closed.

But instead of a lockdown, officials announced a three-day mass testing drive for most of the city and told residents there is no need to panic-buy food.

Beijing police in a statement on social media said they have launched an investigation into a woman surnamed Yao.

The 38-year-old “fabricated and published the relevant rumours”, said the statement, adding that police have taken “criminal compulsory measures” against her – a broad term that can refer to arrest, detention or home surveillance.

Police said she made up an “emergency notice” stating a press conference will announce a three-day “quiet period” yesterday, during which deliveries and takeout will be suspended.

“This was released through online social media platforms and spread massively, seriously disrupting social order,” said the statement.

Although no formal lockdown is announced, officials “recommend” people stay home and “reduce movement” during the three-day testing period.

In many areas, Beijing taxi services have stopped and subway stations closed, while parks are shut and millions told to work from home.

AFP saw at least one community with extra gates erected and a loudspeaker message being broadcast telling people to “refrain from entering this community”.

Beijing residents fear they may face draconian measures similar to those in Shanghai that have trapped most of its 25 million people at home for over a month – after what was initially described as a days-long shutdown.

Police in the capital have also taken action against a 29-year-old man surnamed Chen for claiming more than 1,000 asymptomatic Covid-19 patients were roaming the Haidian district of the city without masks, said the same notice.

Beijing reported 50 local coronavirus cases today, of which eight are asymptomatic. – AFP, May 13, 2022.