(Yicai Global) May 6 -- Some 220 offline stores in Shanghai have resumed business amid the eastern city's tight approach to containing Covid-19 outbreaks.

District governments are arranging the reopening of eligible offline supermarkets, Gu Jun, director of the municipal commerce commission, said at a press conference today. Thus, more than 1,190 outlets of nearly 1,630 stores within 12 key supermarket chain networks have reopened as of yesterday.

Residents in some epidemic prevention areas are able to go out shopping, said Gu. The eastern city has implemented a strict policy of isolating communities that report Covid-19 cases for 14 days.

Getting back to business is troublesome. A manager of a large shop asset management company in Shanghai told Yicai Global that when assisting restaurants to apply for reopening, many firms face challenging epidemic prevention and control policies.

Large restaurant chains and coffee brands have a hard time securing employees as many workers are unable to leave their houses due to the restrictions. Moreover, transport and delivery are problematic. For example, one convenience store reported having to close two days after resuming work because of supply shortages caused by slow logistics.

Key industries should resume work as soon as possible, said Gu. Shanghai will encourage supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and businesses involving daily necessities to get back to work in an orderly manner under the premise of implementing epidemic prevention and control measures, he added.

Shanghai has established a digital pass system for people returning to their workplaces. Eligible enterprises can apply for the pass for their eligible staff. But those workers should no longer return to their compounds in lockdown.

The municipal government will support the return of employees in terms of transportation, accommodation, and nucleic acid testing, said Gu. But in turn, firms should develop and follow epidemic prevention and control plans.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi