The Chinese city of Wuhan was the first corona hotspot in the world to be closed off from the outside world at the start of the pandemic – three years later, the inhabitants of the metropolis have put their fear of the virus behind them.
Many residents were relieved on Monday that things were normal in their city on the third anniversary of the lockdown. “Of course the new year will be better,” cleaner Yan Dongju told AFP. “We are no longer afraid of the virus.”
Daily life in Wuhan also for the New Year celebrations
After the relaxation of the strict corona measures in China, daily life in Wuhan has now returned. During the Chinese New Year holiday, people populated the city’s markets, visited food stalls and restaurants, or went to Guiyuan Temple, which opened for the first time in three years during the Chinese New Year holiday.
Delivery driver Liang Feicheng also expressed his satisfaction with the abolition of the corona restrictions. “People are going to live their lives, meet their family and friends, go play, travel and be happy.”
First corona cases at the end of 2019
The first corona cases were diagnosed in Wuhan at the end of 2019. The metropolis in Hubei province was then completely cut off from the outside world for 76 days. The residents of the city hid in their homes for fear of contamination.
In just ten days, a hospital was built from the ground up. The building is now empty and a banner praises the government’s successes in the fight against the corona virus. A new school called House of Hope now stands above a shop where AFP photographed a man’s body three years ago.
Animal market remains closed
The animal market in Wuhan, which is considered a possible starting point of the corona pandemic, has not reopened to this day.
The Chinese government followed a zero-covid policy until the end of the pandemic, ordering week-long lockdowns and mass testing for millions of Chinese. In early December, Beijing then made an abrupt change of strategy and eased restrictions significantly. The country is currently experiencing the highest increase in corona infections in the world and hospitals are overcrowded in many places.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
