SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – Shanghai authorities appealed Thursday to residents not to violate the tight restrictions imposed by COVID-19 spread. They acknowledged their frustrations that China’s largest city was entering its fourth stage of a two-stage lockdown.

As the Chinese financial center, which is home to 26million people, reported that its average daily COVID caseload had decreased, it appealed for patience. This was after an outbreak of the disease about a year ago.

The Wednesday report included 5,298 new locally transmitted asymptomatic and 355 symptomatic asymptomatic patients. These numbers are up from 5,656 local cases and 326 additional cases reporting symptoms a day prior. Shanghai had almost 80% local asymptomatic patients reported in China on Wednesday and approximately 20% cases with symptoms.

The Shanghai government sent a thank you letter to residents of the city, acknowledging their efforts. It also reiterated its support for China’s “dynamic clearing” strategy, which involves detecting and tracking contacts, and quarantining any positive cases.

It stated that “Pandemic prevention work and control have caused much inconvenience to people”, in a letter posted on its official WeChat social media accounts.

Some of you were in lockdown and quarantine for quite some time. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Shanghai has been divided along the Huangpu River to keep it out of its hands. This will allow for the separation of Shanghai’s historic center west from Pudong, which is the financial and industrial area. This allows for mass staggered testing, according to authorities.

The eastern districts were affected by movement curbs that started Monday. These restrictions will be lifted Friday at 05:00 GMT (21:00 GMT).

The lockdown will begin at 03:00 the next day in areas west of the river. However, some housing complexes in the western regions have already asked residents to remain home starting Wednesday.

People all over the city are using social media to vent frustrations, sharing videos of locked-down areas and pictures.

Businesses have also been affected. Volkswagen (DE: ) stated that its Shanghai factory would be partially closed on Thursday because of a shortage in parts.

Despite the protestations of some Shanghai residents who are skeptical about its validity, China won’t be easing up on its “dynamic clearance”, state media agency Xinhua stated in a comment late Wednesday. Xinhua claimed that this tactic is necessary to preserve lives and protect people’s safety.

The Shanghai city government stated that it will do everything possible to stop the pandemic spreading and ensure everyone has access to medical and daily necessities.

“We ask all residents to cooperate and to follow the pandemic control guidelines and prevention guidelines. Our home and city can be saved only by everyone working together.