简体中文
Combo aerial photo shows the Optics Valley Square in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province on Jan. 26, 2020 (upper) and on April 8, 2020.
Many residents and businesses alike are yearning for a speedy return to normalcy after the COVID-19 epidemic largely tapered off in Wuhan, while authorities still called for continued vigilance to prevent a rebound in the outbreak.
WUHAN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- For the first time in more than two months, the shopping street of Wuhan Optics Valley began to bubble with life.
On Thursday, one day after Wuhan lifted its 76-day lockdown, shops on the usually crowded promenade were broadcasting cheerful songs and putting up promotion posters to lure in long-lost shoppers, who have begun hitting the roads in small numbers, and in masks.
The sight has cast a sharp contrast to two months ago, when the street was quiet and devoid of pedestrians as the megacity in central China's Hubei Province observed a lockdown to contain the rampaging novel coronavirus.
Many residents and businesses alike are yearning for a speedy return to normalcy after the epidemic largely tapered off in the city, while authorities still called for continued vigilance to prevent a rebound in the outbreak.
Most shops on the promenade, featuring European-style buildings and alleys, have reopened. One garment shop on Spanish Street put up a poster saying "Wuhan, we're back!" along with a promise of a 30-percent discount for shoppers who buy more than two items.
"We opened a week ago, though there are still few shoppers at the moment," said a grocery store worker in the same alley.
On Han Street, a high-end shopping street in Wuchang District, most shops other than dine-in restaurants have reopened to a thin stream of customers.
Precautions are visible. A staff member in a protective suit manned the entrance of the World City Plaza, demanding customers entering the emporium show their health codes. Most shops inside have opened.
One shopper who only gave her surname as Chen said many residential compounds in Wuhan are still closed off, but those with a certificate showing they have resumed work are allowed to go out.
"It is my first time in nearly three months to go out of my house," said Chen. "I came here to buy an iced latte after finishing transactions at a bank and before going to a supermarket for essentials."
(Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
The Wakanda Cafe visited by Chen remained open during the lockdown to supply coffee to frontline medics free of charge. It partially resumed commercial operations on April 4, selling takeaway coffee and receiving online orders. Customers can sit on four stools newly installed outside the shop, with disinfection conducted regularly.
"We're still operating in the red, as the business has yet to return to the level before the epidemic," said Duan Jiayi, a barista at the cafe, noting that as long as people return to the street, their business will recover from the doldrums.
"Our patrons are mainly college students, office workers and medics in nearby hospitals. Students have yet to return, but office workers are gradually resuming work, and medics have started to visit our shop as they have more relaxation time."
"We're not too worried about our business, because after all, coffee is a necessity for many of our customers," he said. "We're even planning to release some new products as business gets better."
Wuhan on March 25 partly resumed its public transportation, including buses and subways. Ferries, trams and taxis also resumed services from Wednesday. Schools remain closed and residential communities have continued closed-off management.
On Thursday in Wuhan, ferry whistles sounded, and the familiar sound of car horns came back to roads, and more white collars commuted by subway. In communities, people walk or run in twos or threes to keep fit. On the city's squares, or by the lakeside, some take in the unrivaled beauty of the spring flowers while taking selfies.
"Seeing more vehicles and pedestrians, I feel that the city is coming back to life. My dad drove me downtown, where I bought myself a cup of milk tea," said Zheng Xinyi, a junior at Wuhan University. "In my eyes, Wuhan people have become proactive to welcome the new life." ■
