Machines have started to buzz again at carmakers including Tesla and Volkswagen in China after a hiatus of weeks because of COVID-19 outbreaks in the country's two major vehicle-producing cities.

Shanghai is on track to resume production and ensure smooth logistics following a COVID-related citywide lockdown since April 1, as the city moves to safeguard its industrial and supply chains.

Shanghai is expected to complete weeklong screening tests by Thursday in its effort to realize zero COVID-19 transmission in communities, the municipal government said on Monday.

Since April 1, Shanghai Volkswagen Powertrain Co, based in Jiading district, has been under closed-loop management, with over 530 staff and business partners staying in the factory to ensure production.

Shanghai has bolstered caregiving services for the elderly who live alone, patients with critical illnesses, people with disabilities, and low-income families during the latest wave of COVID-19 infections.

Shanghai authorities are working to improve the efficiency of discharging recovered patients from makeshift hospitals, or fangcang, to make room for new cases.

As of April 9, a total of 555 patients have left the makeshift hospitals in Shanghai's Jiading district and returned home.

Shanghai began implementing a three-zone epidemic control system on Monday that categorizes communities based on the level of COVID-19 infections, which will allow some residents restricted movement.

Flowers boom in Shanghai's Jiading district.       Read more