I suppose there are different levels of lockdowns, but I thought narvik was referring to the "CCTV camera on door" and/or "guards sealing off your neighborhood" variety because only this level would prevent him from going to the airport.

Shanghai has used this approach quite sparingly thus far. I think of the men in white as sharp shooters. If someone in your compound tests positive, watch out. Otherwise, things are cool. Another thing about Shanghai that I hinted at yesterday is that the individual districts set and enforce their own rules. When I walked to lunch today, I passed between Xuhui and Jing'an and the contrast was enormous. In the former most restaurants were open for inside dining whereas in the latter only the tiny noodle places dared. And I had to show my health code to enter an outdoor plaza at lunch. My dining experience was still great in spite of this stuff.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2be689cbdf.jpg

I read some study showing China's vaccines aren't effective preventing infection, but somewhat do reduce hospitalization and death.

So it's better than nothing.

***narvik

Exit plan to US from Beijing if urgent, currently the tentative plan is get out to ICN, DL hub and pick up a DL flight to US. It seems too many variables to travel to PVG.

This gets me pause.

I just hope that it will get better in May when I am scheduled to fly SFO PVG.

I also hope that by then, the Kingdom realizes that 14+7 quarantine is simply stupid, and total waste of resources.

if it gets worse, I'll just fly to SIN and Thailand for vacation.

I like your Korea plan but I would try to buy a single ticket to the US from BJS, probably on KE though I'm not seeing any KE flights until May.

Just got the notice sent to my wechat at 4:30am. My community in Shanghai is now under lockdown. The gates went up in front of the compound right after and we all need to take 2 tests within 48 hours before we are released. I doubt that we will be released then however as I don’t see the spread of Omicron stopping and I’m hunkering in for a long incarceration.

Now I can sit alone in my thoughts as I watch my Chinese tech stocks collapse! Definitely is stepping up the timing of my exit plan.

I would layover in HKG (transit is allowed there) or alternatively fly to any country that Chinese citizens need a visa to. Then plan next steps from there.

Yes, I am already considering HKG, and SIN too.
(PVG is booked, but I somewhat doubt it's going to work...)

I don't endorse the HK because there aren't many flights to the US from there, you sort of need to have your next flight already in place, and if anything goes wrong, you have to wait in the airport or else enter quarantine. In addition to Korea, Singapore and Thailand are okay (need travel insurance for the latter).

Same thing happened to us last night. I'll be home for the next 48 hours (at least).

I would suggest Singapore. There are some really good fares out of SIN back to the US on NH to Tokyo then United.
The UA direct flight to SFO is also reasonable in Y fare qualifying for upgrade.

The challenge is get to SIN.

(bolding mine)

This!
I'm probably going to go to US via NZ, so I looked at SIN. Will likely make a reward res fro m SIN-AKL also, but like you write; I am somewhat doubtful to even get to SIN to cathc that flight.

It seems there are no BJS-SIN flights? And, CX only flies to SIN on Saturday mornings. But, if you get a morning flight to HK, you should definitely be able to catch one of the SQ flights.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0050537217.png
Actually, it looks like PVG-AKL might be your best bet. And, the good thing about this is you are allowed to stay overnight in Shanghai if there are any issues.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...522e2e2438.png

Cheers for that. Yeah, I didn't think there were ANY international flights mere mortals can take from any BJS airport.
What do you mean with "overnight in Shanghai"? Is that a thing?
I am already booked on a PVG-AKL flight (in J, with miles....for cheap! lol) ----> that is Plan A....what I am after now is Plan B! :)

You shouldn't need to overnight in SH, but my point was you could if things went wrong (e.g. you miss your connection or the connection is canceled). The only reason I mention this is as a contrast to HK, where you'd be stuck inside of the airport.