China's Wuhan, where the coronavirus emerged, begins to lift its lockdown

By Brenda Goh

 

People wearing face masks wait for a subway train on the first day the city's subway services resumed following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Wuhan of Hubei province, the epicentre of China's coronavirus outbreak, March 28, 2020. The Chinese characters REUTERS/Aly Song

 

WUHAN, China (Reuters) - The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak first emerged, began lifting a two-month lockdown on Saturday by restarting some metro services and reopening borders, allowing some semblance of normality to return and families to reunite.

 

After being cut-off from the rest of the country for two months, the reopening of Wuhan, where the epidemic first erupted in late December, marks a turning point in China's fight against the virus, though the contagion has since spread to over 200 countries.

 

Among those on the first high-speed trains allowed into the city on Saturday morning was Guo Liangkai, a 19-year-old student whose one-month work stint in Shanghai stretched to three months due to the clamp down on movement.

 

"It makes me very happy that I can see my family," Guo told Reuters after being greeted by his mother at the main station.

 

"We wanted to hug but now is a special period so we can't hug or take any actions like these."

 

Authorities took draconian measures to stop people from entering or leaving the industrial city of 11 million people in central China. Families were confined to their homes. Bus and taxi services were shut, and only essential stores were allowed to remain open.

 

"I think the resumption of work represents a kind of hope. It at least shows that China is victorious," said Zhang Yulun, 35, returning to Wuhan for work.

 

China's National Health Commission said on Saturday that 54 new coronavirus cases were reported on the mainland on Friday, all involving so-called imported cases. Mainland China now has 81,394 cases, with the death toll rising by three to 3,295, the commission said.

 

Wuhan accounts for about 60% of China's coronavirus cases, but they have fallen sharply in recent weeks, a sign that the measures are working. The last confirmed locally transmitted case of the virus in Wuhan was on Monday.

 

With the United States, Italy and Spain and other countries now battling soaring infections, China is focussing on the risk posed by imported cases - most of them Chinese returning home.

 

Effective Saturday, China suspended the entry of foreign nationals with valid Chinese visas and residence permits.

 

DISINFECTANT AND MASKS

 

But even with the decline in cases and loosening of restrictions, Wuhan authorities were taking few chances.

 

Staff, some in full-body protective gear, and volunteers bustled around the railway station in the morning, setting out hand disinfectant and putting up signs reminding travellers they need a mobile-phone based health code to take public transport.

 

A worker walked through one metro train carrying a signboard reading: "Wear a mask for the entire journey, people should not gather and when you disembark please scan the health code."

 

"Everyone is taking the right precautions. So, there shouldn’t be a problem," Yuan Hai, 30, a passenger on a reopened metro line said when asked about the risks. "But you have to be careful."

 

The existence of an unknown number of asymptomatic carriers of coronavirus in China has raised concerns among the public that lifting the restrictions may release thousands of people who could still be spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, without knowing they are sick.

 

Life in Wuhan remains far from normal. The vast majority of shops are shut while bright yellow roadblocks remain.

Wuhan will not let people leave the city until April 8.

 

Some people at the railway station, such as a woman who only gave her surname as Zhang, said they were there to see if there was any chance people could leave earlier.

 

Her grandson came to visit her for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday in January and has been separated from his parents in the southern city of Shenzhen ever since. With schools there possibly reopening, she hopes he can get back soon.

 

"He was supposed to leave on the fifth day (of the holiday) but has now been here for a few months," she said.

 

(Reporting by Brenda Goh; Additional Reporting by Thomas Suen; Editing by William Mallard)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-28

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

 

Online I saw they are beginning to riot as well.

 

good times

 

 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

It makes me very happy

 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

think the resumption of work represents a kind of hope

 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Everyone is taking the right precautions. So, there shouldn’t be a problem,

Sure, looking at their faces on pictures (and not only this one), they look so happy.

So happy to be forced by Chinese authorities to go back to work because the Leader has said that now priority should be given to Production.

Sad.

 

3 hours ago, xtof2 said:

 

 

Sure, looking at their faces on pictures (and not only this one), they look so happy.

So happy to be forced by Chinese authorities to go back to work because the Leader has said that now priority should be given to Production.

Sad.

 

How can we actually see if they are happy or not? They are all wearing masks - but maybe u see something i don't in their eyes ????

It all started in Wuhan, and the lockdown is starting to be lifted. Let's hope Italy and Spain will see big drops in the daily death rate, and have their lockdowns removed later.

It's taken a two month lockdown in Wuhan to remove Corona. So, it might take a two month lockdown to clear Corona in Britain. I know I'ill certainly go out and have a beer in the local pub as soon as the lockdown is over.

you don't think after 6 weeks of enforced quarantine with no salary they might be happy to get out of the house, and back to work to earn some rmb's?

 

and no, they're not 'forced' to work, unless you mean forced by the need to pay the rent.

 

I do business with China, specifically with companies in that area, and they tell me that they indeed start working but people don't go out.

 

Shops and restaurants are empty, because people travel between home and work only.

 

They also agree that there is a big chance that infections start multiplying again now, because they could contain it by preventing people to come outside their homes, but there is no vaccine yet.

 

So how many people there are still around that are infected, but don't show symptoms or are tested, and now start travelling and spreading the virus again?

This story is not quite accurate (surprise!)

Restrictions have been lifted but only for people coming IN. People cannot LEAVE.

Vision is available of residents fighting with police on roadblocks. Police vehicle overturned, etc.

15 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

This story is not quite accurate (surprise!)

Restrictions have been lifted but only for people coming IN. People cannot LEAVE.

Vision is available of residents fighting with police on roadblocks. Police vehicle overturned, etc.

how is the story not quite accurate?  you need to read the entire article, not just the headline.

 

18 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Life in Wuhan remains far from normal. The vast majority of shops are shut while bright yellow roadblocks remain.

Wuhan will not let people leave the city until April 8.

the fighting with police on the bridge you're referencing happened at the hubei-jiangxi border, quite a distance from wuhan city.  too many people all at once trying to force their way through, and police on both sides arguing over who was responsible for controlling the crowds. 

 

the people wanted out immediately, while the police were recording names and taking temperatures and trying to get the crowd to maintain their social distance.  result = chaos.  chinese aren't good with lines even in the best of times.

Still no word on Patient #1 from Wuhan last November.  It would help researchers immensely.

4 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Still no word on Patient #1 from Wuhan last November.  It would help researchers immensely.

did you read the article in the new york post?  that links to a wsj article behind a paywall, and this from an australian website:

 

"According to a statement from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission on December 31, Ms Wei was one of the first 27 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and one of the 24 cases who had direct links to the Huanan Market."

 

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-patient-zero-at-wuhan-seafood-market-identified/news-story/2d6706018d09b7daa4567521f8cae3e3

Does this mean they can get back to their usual diet of bats, monkeys and other exotic meats? Break out the terrapin-bile brandy while you're at it, why don't you? No wonder they're happy.

Edited March 29, 20206 yr by outsider

right, they're starting to lift the lockdown UNTIL they start tallying cases again.

 

        Past experience , has taught us not to trust official statements , from China ...

Like Trump the Chinese want to get back to business as fast as possible.  I strongly suggest that there will be a second wave of corona virus if they do it too soon.

Urns in Wuhan far exceed death toll, raising more questions about China’s tally

A single mortuary has had 5,000 urns delivered over the past two days, double the city's reported coronavirus death toll

 

http://shanghaiist.com/2020/03/27/urns-in-wuhan-far-exceed-death-toll-raising-more-questions-about-chinas-tally/

48 minutes ago, jb61 said:

Urns in Wuhan far exceed death toll, raising more questions about China’s tally

A single mortuary has had 5,000 urns delivered over the past two days, double the city's reported coronavirus death toll

 

http://shanghaiist.com/2020/03/27/urns-in-wuhan-far-exceed-death-toll-raising-more-questions-about-chinas-tally/

wow!  that's a lotta urns!

 

considering the mortuaries were shut down for 8 weeks, or at least deliveries thereto, how much of this is accumulated backlog?

 

how many urns does a single mortuary out of eight in a city of 11 million normally receive?

 

estimating deaths from a number with no context like this is as valid as using the number of cell phone contracts terminated to calculate deaths.  might as well base it on number of tesla purchase deposits withdrawn.

More Commie Lies , Reinfection is occurring and now they closing Cinemas , Too many Urns for deaths announced , Cant lose face in Asia , 21 million Cell phones not reconnected , WhybVirus not hit Business Centers like Bejing or Shanghai not that far away , then straight to Italy , Someone design this Bioweapon is Genius 

Edited March 29, 20206 yr by Ireland32

23 hours ago, rooster59 said:

A worker walked through one metro train carrying a signboard reading: "Wear a mask for the entire journey, people should not gather and when you disembark please scan the health code."

this 'health code'... part of their already existing population control tracking;

means that for any near future outbreak hotspots around town, the system could reverse search the data,

to track any victim back thru time,

and find coincidences relating to any other victims.

 

It would help find the spreaders, from the (health code) stream of damage left in their wake

1 hour ago, jb61 said:

Urns in Wuhan far exceed death toll, raising more questions about China’s tally

A single mortuary has had 5,000 urns delivered over the past two days, double the city's reported coronavirus death toll

 

http://shanghaiist.com/2020/03/27/urns-in-wuhan-far-exceed-death-toll-raising-more-questions-about-chinas-tally/

Its called Chinese mathematics.

 

The saddest thing is some posters on here is that some posters actually believe it.

 Wuhan  will soon turn out become a biggest urner for the CCP Economy... when they step up their expansion, while the rest of the world is still licking their wounds. 

 

 They could lose multitude millions with their viral outbreak, and it wouldn't be noticed... not even a small blip on their radar

22 minutes ago, tifino said:

this 'health code'... part of their already existing population control tracking;

means that for any near future outbreak hotspots around town, the system could reverse search the data,

to track any victim back thru time,

and find coincidences relating to any other victims.

 

It would help find the spreaders, from the (health code) stream of damage left in their wake

partially correct, but even scarier than you imagine!

 

this is a NEW app you download via alipay.  because it's linked to your payment data, it preloads much of your personal information.  you then answer some health questions, which results in a color-code QR-scan on your phone.  green, yellow or red, depending on your health status or your recent movements.  you must update every 72 hours or your code turns yellow.

 

you must show your QR code to access public facilities like bus or train stations, schools, hospitals, airports, subways.........but also demanded by commercial enterprises like shopping malls, banks, supermarkets.....your apartment building.

 

it's linked to alipay, which is linked to wechat so it has your phone records and social media postings, is linked to your bank account for payments, so knows what medicines you've purchased and hospital payments you've made, and all of this while your phone is transmitting your gps location to uncle mao, which is being matched to police CCTV from every intersection and route in/out of your city.

 

not quite as impressive as the nsa vacuuming up every electronic communication in the world, but they're a close second.

 

and good news!  they also have an english version for us laowai to install on our phones.

 

about the only thing they don't have is smart bmw's.

 

 

A post with a link to an unapproved YouTube site has been removed, the replies were removed as well. 

14 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

More Commie Lies , Reinfection is occurring and now they closing Cinemas , Too many Urns for deaths announced , Cant lose face in Asia , 21 million Cell phones not reconnected , WhybVirus not hit Business Centers like Bejing or Shanghai not that far away , then straight to Italy , Someone design this Bioweapon is Genius 

Or is that the anti-pandemic/bioweapons people are incompetent idiots?

I also read an unconfirmed report out of China that claimed 21 million cell phones have been disconnected—and prior to this, they had robust growth every year.  Has anyone else got a confirmation of this?

3 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

I also read an unconfirmed report out of China that claimed 21 million cell phones have been disconnected—and prior to this, they had robust growth every year.  Has anyone else got a confirmation of this?

yes, have read versions of that in several places.  as with the urn 'story', that's being hyped as evidence that millions of dead are clogging the streets in china.  (*pop 1.45 billion, with around 1.75 billion cell phone subscriptions*)

 

the first link the search engine found (data thru sep '19) also showed a drop of 10 million subscribers between march and june last year.  does this indicate 10 million died in a secret first wave of the pandemic last year?

 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/278204/china-mobile-users-by-month/

 

other considerations as to why subscribers would drop off, and not necessarily drop dead:

 

china instituted more strict requirements for SIM registration.  must show national ID card and submit to facial scanning in order to purchase a SIM card AND to recharge an account balance.  couple weeks ago watched a local paying their bill, getting face scanned with the camera mounted on the register.  us laowai must go to the main office of the telecoms system in our town, show passport to register.  no facial scan for us last time i applied, but that may have changed.  i also don't have to show ID at the local shop to recharge my account.  there's that at least.

 

at the beginning of january, half a billion migrant workers returned home for the holiday, which was extended, as far as they knew, indefinitely.  many factories are still not open, leaving quite a few stuck at home.  how many of those half billion had two SIM cards, one from their hometown and one for their workplace?  of those, how many chose not to continue paying the monthly fee for a number they might never use again?

 

even if they wanted to keep the number, is that possible?  i pay my china mobile bill at the local shop, not wanting to link it to my bank account for automatic payment.  i have found that when traveling, china mobile shops outside my province are unable to recharge my account.  bill payment in person can only be done within province where the account is registered.  this would also apply to the tens of millions of students who went home for the extended holiday.

 

 

Edited March 30, 20206 yr by ChouDoufu

14 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

yes, have read versions of that in several places.  as with the urn 'story', that's being hyped as evidence that millions of dead are clogging the streets in china.

 

the first link the search engine found (data thru sep '19) also showed a drop of 10 million subscribers between march and june last year.  does this indicate 10 million died in a secret first wave of the pandemic last year?

 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/278204/china-mobile-users-by-month/

 

other considerations as to why subscribers would drop off, and not necessarily drop dead:

 

china instituted more strict requirements for SIM registration.  must show national ID card and submit to facial scanning in order to purchase a SIM card AND to recharge an account balance.  couple weeks ago watched a local paying their bill, getting face scanned with the camera mounted on the register.  us laowai must go to the main office of the telecoms system in our town, show passport to register.  no facial scan for us last time i applied, but that may have changed.  i also don't have to show ID at the local shop to recharge my account.  there's that at least.

 

at the beginning of january, half a billion migrant workers returned home for the holiday, which was extended, as far as they knew, indefinitely.  many factories are still not open, leaving quite a few stuck at home.  how many of those half billion had two SIM cards, one from their hometown and one for their workplace?  of those, how many chose not to continue paying the monthly fee for a number they might never use again?

 

even if they wanted to keep the number, is that possible?  i pay my china mobile bill at the local shop, not wanting to link it to my bank account for automatic payment.  i have found that when traveling, china mobile shops outside my province are unable to recharge my account.  bill payment in person can only be done within province where the account is registered.  this would also apply to the tens of millions of students who went home for the extended holiday.

 

 

If anyone is naive enough to not believe what China is modelling  for the rest of the world to also adopt then  good  luck !

Eventually the only recognition of any individual will be a digital record.

And once that is achieved then there will be the problem of averting the risk of a digital super virus.

Ah well. People trust in  their religions. Why  not  the "Clouds" ?

18 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Its called Chinese mathematics.

 

The saddest thing is some posters on here is that some posters actually believe it.

So, a city with a population of 11m had no deaths, other than from CV-19, over a lock down period of 8 weeks? Hmmm.

 

Now, would some posters actually believe that? That would really be sad.......

getting ready for the 2nd wave of infections

10 minutes ago, dabhand said:

So, a city with a population of 11m had no deaths, other than from CV-19, over a lock down period of 8 weeks? Hmmm.

 

Now, would some posters actually believe that? That would really be sad.......

Given that the annual  nominal deaths  per 100.000 for all combined causes was around 550 in all of China then statistically if that is applied to the 11 million of Wuhan  2 months usual toll would be?