Stores in China laid bare in scenes of chaos before 21 million locked down

Chengdu, in southwest China, was placed under strict control on Thursday after a wave of around 150 positive tests was recorded in the amid fury directed at the government

Long queues were reported ahead of the lockdown from Chengdu (

Image: MARK R CRISTINO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Desperate residents of a Chinese city about to be plunged into a Covid-related lockdown under Beijing's tough measures have been spotted buying crucial supplies in a panic.

Authorities ordered a lockdown of Chengdu's 21 million residents after 157 new infections were detected.

Videos from the southwestern Chinese city show people emptying food stores and buying everyday items in bulk, for fear of what the future holds.

Supermarkets and local shops quickly sold out meat and vegetables.

The city government said on its official WeChat account that it is imposing the lockdown this weekend to "minimize people's working lives".

People were shown buying in panic amid concerns about the impending lockdown (

Picture:

Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock)

It will last for at least the next week - although officials may choose to extend it.

The government statement added, "Netizens agreed, leaving comments that strengthening epidemic prevention and control over the weekend in some areas of Shenzhen is the fastest and more effective in breaking the chain of transmission of the virus."

A resident, a headhunter who went by the name Candice, said she was appalled by the news.

She added: "The fear of moving around, the constant interruption of work, must be worse than the virus itself."

Several social media platforms have been inundated with irate messages from residents...