On Monday, some people in China’s major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan braved the cold and a rise in COVID-19 infections to get back to work, hoping that the economy would improve as more people got better.
After China dropped strict “zero-COVID” measures on December 7 to adopt a strategy of living with the virus, some of those who gathered to sled or ice skate on a frozen lake in the capital’s Shichahai Lake Park were optimistic about the opening.
However, a nationwide outbreak of infections has since occurred after borders were effectively closed for three years due to strict lockdowns and constant testing.
Yang, who gave only one name, said, “After the end of this lockdown, we don’t have to scan the health code any more, nor do we have to check the travel code.”
“So now we are free.”
Zhong, a 22-year-old college student, was also at the lake. He said he had been infected and had been home for two or three weeks.
He continued, “Now I can go out, and it’s good timing for the holiday of New Year’s.” I want to explore Beijing, take in the festive atmosphere, and look around.
Despite the fact that Monday was a public holiday, there has been a resurgence of traffic in the capital over the past few days as people flock to outdoor attractions, despite the slowdown in some smaller, more restricted establishments like restaurants.
According to the proprietor of a seafood restaurant in Beijing, customers had not returned to full strength.
Chen, who only used his surname, stated, “I expect this situation to linger through the Lunar New Year holiday.” After the holiday, I expect business to be more normal.
A man by the name of Wu told Reuters that people in the central city of Wuhan, where the pandemic first broke out three years ago, were no longer as worried.
“Work creation, life and diversion are fully recovering levels,” added Wu, a guide at a confidential instructional hub.
