The tentative date of return is April 8.

Perfect World has announced today that the Dota Pro Circuit China will go on a short pause to comply with the city-wide lockdown in Shanghai due to COVID. The tentative date for DPC China matches to resume is April 8, although a further extension may be necessary depending  on the local administration’s decisions.

“To cooperate with a citywide lockdown in Shanghai, where most DPC CN teams and the PWRD DPC CN production studios are located, DPC CN will go on pause after the matches of Mar 29 conclude. The tentative return date is April 8. “

The regional league will go on a pause starting March 29 effectively ensuring a pause on the China Dota Pro Circuit 2022.

COVID outbreak in China

The local authorities will ramp up covid testing during the lockdown period. Image Credit: <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/coronavirus/story/china-imposes-lockdown-on-9-mn-residents-in-changchun-amid-new-covid-outbreak-325644-2022-03-11">BusinessToday.</a>
The local authorities will ramp up covid testing during the lockdown period. Image Credit: BusinessToday.

China has recently been hit by a massive wave of COVID 19. The country has initiated the largest COVID-related lockdown since the initial outbreak over two years ago. The city of Shanghai will be locked down in two stages over nine days as the authorities ramp up COVID testing in the city.

The decision comes despite stiff resistance from the authorities to lockdown the city due to financial considerations. However, China has been witnessing a surge in COVID cases necessitating this lockdown. 

The lockdown will happen in two stages, with the eastern side of the city under restrictions from Monday until 1 April, and the western side from 1-5 April.

All public transport will be come to a halt and factories will have to stop their production. Shanghai reported 2,676 new Covid cases on Saturday, recording a 66 per cent rise in 48 hours.

This decision comes even as the Eastern European DPC is indefinitely postponed. There are no announcements on its return just yet.

The Stockholm Major is the first Dota 2 Major to host a live audience at the Hovet Arena in Stockholm. The Major takes place from May 20-22, so there is plenty of time for Perfect World to play out the remaining weeks in the Chinese DPC.

PSG.LGD top the tables having played three games and with a 100% win-rate. Royal Never Give up and Extreme Gaming come in next with 2 wins each. There are still four weeks of DPC play remaining and the top four teams make it to the Stockholm Major

Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest Dota 2 news and updates.