SHANGHAI (Reuters – Shanghai, China on Thursday stated that it would do its best for locked-in residents to distribute food and other essential items. The statement was made in response to discontent at COVID curbs being extended to an eleventh day.

China’s financial capital has been quiet since Beijing imposed strict movement restrictions to curb the spread COVID. The city only allowed healthcare workers, volunteers, and people with special permission on the streets.

According to authorities, this has reduced the need for couriers who are required to keep the 26 million inhabitants of the city supplied by the couriers down from 112,000 to 11. Meituan and other overloaded services are still available, but they’re not yet operational. Alibaba (NYSE:) Freshippo’s online grocery store platform and Ele.me service.

Shanghai can store enough staples, such as meat and rice, but problems have arisen in the distribution of these items and delivery last-mile due to epidemiological control measures. Chen Tong was speaking at a press conference.

The mayor stated that the city would open some food and wholesale stores, and permit more deliveries to be made from locked areas. He added that price gouging will be dealt with by the authorities.

“In reaction to various issues reported by the general public, we’ve been holding meetings over the night to attempt to find solutions,” he stated.

Residents are starting to be concerned about their food, drinking water and accessing products like infant formula.

Many people have shared their frustrations on social media about getting up early to book a delivery but they sold out in seconds. Some people have used WeChat to find community WeChat groups that allow them to bulk-buy fruits and vegetables.

Shanghai reported Wednesday close to 21,000 new cases of locally transmitted disease. 98% of these were symptomatic.

However, signs are that the transmission of asymptomatic infections is continuing despite these lockdowns. Data showed that 6,33 out of 19,660 people with asymptomatic infection were not being quarantined or subjected to control measures.

Shanghai refuted Wednesday’s rumours that it would suspend delivery service due to concerns about the spread of the virus through these workers. They must take PCR or antigen tests each day and can deliver only goods if the results are negative.

China’s biggest city remains unsure when restrictions will ease, fuelling uncertainty. European economists have warned about the growing impact they are having on their economy and ability to attract international capital hubs.

Although Shanghai is still small in terms of the number of reported cases, Shanghai has become a testing ground for China’s “dynamic clearing” anti-COVID strategy. This is an effort to centrally quarantine and trace all suspected COVID cases as well their closest contacts.

Officials from Shanghai said that they will continue testing its citizens on Thursday. They will ask them to complete PCR and self-administered Antigen tests.

Shanghai transformed dozens of buildings into quarantine centers that could accommodate tens to thousands of cases. China News Service announced late on Wednesday that patients can also quarantine in the Jiangsu or Zhejiang provinces.