Shanghai Residents Living Sci-Fi Nightmare

Videos are circulating on social media platforms including Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, of a drone hovering in the sky while broadcasting Covid lockdown orders to residents under quarantine.

One clip shows a drone with red, flashing lights hovering above apartment buildings, broadcasting a loud message in a residential district in Shanghai. 

“Everyone, don’t sing songs on your balcony. Songjiang Jiuting Park residents sang a little bit and then there was a drone coming over to say to control the desire for freedom in one’s soul,” the video caption read.

The drone is seen flying over buildings while a robotic voice broadcasts the message: “Residents of Jiuting. During the pandemic, we request that you strictly abide by COVID-19 restrictions and related guidelines. Control your soul’s desire for freedom. Do not open the window or sing. This increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission.” 

Drones have also been recorded flying over Shanghainese districts that some are describing as “a glimpse of Cyberpunk 2077,” referencing the dystopian video game. 

Drones are flying over college campuses broadcasting messages informing students that due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, they must keep face masks on at all times and stay in the confines of their college dormitories. 

Videos have been captured of robot dogs with loudspeakers, walking down the streets of Shanghai broadcasting COVD-19 lockdown procedures.

“Disinfect regularly. Ventilate your home. Prevent the pandemic in a scientific manner,” the message blasts. 

Shanghai is facing a marked surge in COVID-19 cases, prompting the entire city of 26 million to be put on a strict lockdown. The city’s Covid-zero policy has been met with disdain after disturbing videos emerged of infants and toddlers being left unattended in an overcrowded quarantine center in the city — a move that the Chinese government has defended. 

The city’s mass-testing regimen has confirmed 94,000 infections in the southern financial hub since March 1.