On the First Day of Wuhan Lockdown Lift... "55,000 People Leaving Wuhan"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] On the first day of the lifting of the city lockdown in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, it is estimated that about 55,000 people who had been trapped inside Wuhan for 76 days will leave the city, causing heightened tension across China.

According to China Central Television (CCTV) on the 8th, China Railway Corporation announced that based on train ticket reservations, approximately 55,000 passengers are expected to leave the Wuhan area by train on the first day of the lockdown lift. About 40% of them are heading to the Zhujiang Delta region (a triangular area connecting Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau), where Chinese manufacturing and export companies are concentrated. This is interpreted as a large-scale movement of people returning to work on the first day after being unable to leave Wuhan for 76 days following the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) holiday.

Only those holding a green health code can leave Wuhan after undergoing temperature checks and identity verification. The green health code certifies that the person has not been infected with COVID-19 and has not had close contact with confirmed or suspected patients.

With three train stations in Wuhan resuming railway services from midnight on this day, the first train to depart Wuhan carrying passengers was the 7:06 a.m. train bound for Nanning in Guangxi Province. In addition to the Nanning train, 276 trains heading to various Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chengdu are scheduled to depart from Wuhan Station. Besides trains, all transportation services including airplanes, city buses, and taxis also resumed operations from this day.

As concerns about the lifting of the Wuhan lockdown grow within China, voices are increasing that even if the lockdown is lifted, COVID-19 prevention and control measures must continue to be strengthened.

The state-run media Global Times editorial stated, "The lifting of the Wuhan lockdown and strengthening of risk management must go hand in hand," adding, "The lifting of the city lockdown does not mean a relaxation of prevention and control. Since new infection cases have emerged in Hubei Province, where the lockdown was previously lifted, Chinese people do not associate the lifting of the Wuhan lockdown with a sense of relief." The newspaper emphasized, "The Chinese government must not loosen COVID-19 prevention and control after lifting the lockdown, nor allow hidden risks to cause the virus to spread again. Prevention and control must be faithfully maintained until the end."

Guangdong Province, where a large influx of people from Wuhan is expected and cases of overseas re-importation of COVID-19 patients continue, is on high alert. Guangzhou City in Guangdong Province raised the risk management level from 'low' to 'medium' in some areas such as Baiyun District and Yuexiu District the day before. So far, Guangzhou has reported 111 imported confirmed cases, including 25 foreigners. Among the 25 foreigners, 16 are of African nationality.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.