And I don't know what OP's situation is, but most people in that country don't have much choice other than "tolerating" being there. I just met a British guy that teaches English in China, who barely got out before the situation in Shanghai started to unfold. Right now even for foreigners, it's not an easy task to fly out of Shanghai, let alone Chinese passport holders. There have been numerous reports of their custom officers turning back citizens departing the country, citing that they don't have a legitimate reason to do so. Their logic is that because China makes it so difficult for their own citizens to return, people should refrain from going abroad in the first place. On top of that, I've read someone had to pay over $500 for a taxi ride from Shanghai to PVG airport. Sounds like only cars with a special permit can drive on the road, so they'll charge a hefty price for the ride.