China’s Hubei province to remove travel bans starting tomorrow


A two-month lockdown of 50million people in China’s Hubei province – ground zero for the coronavirus outbreak – will be lifted this week, the government has said. 

People who have a ‘green’ health certificate – meaning they have tested negative for the virus – will be allowed to leave the province from midnight on March 25, the first time they have been allowed out of the region since January 23.

However, restrictions on travelling into an out of the mega-city of Wuhan – where the virus first emerged – will remain in place until April 8. 

It comes after China reported zero new domestic infections from coronavirus earlier this month, though new cases are still occurring in people returning from abroad. 

The easing of restrictions will be closely watched by western countries such as the UK which are just entering lockdown, with no clear idea how long the measures might last for.  

50 million people who have been isolated in China’s Hubei province since lockdown was imposed on January 23 will be allowed into and out of the province from March 25 

The mega-city of Wuhan, ground zero for coronavirus, will remain in lockdown until April 8

The mega-city of Wuhan, ground zero for coronavirus, will remain in lockdown until April 8

There have now been more than 81,000 cases in China, and the death toll has reached 3,270

There have now been more than 81,000 cases in China, and the death toll has reached 3,270

Hubei’s lockdown was among the most draconian anywhere in the world with people told to stay at home unless there was an emergency – with one person per household permitted to leave every three days to buy food and essentials and the use of private cars banned indefinitely. 

Housing estates would keep only one entrance open, to be guarded to make sure only residents could enter or leave.

Chemists, hotels, food shops and medical services remained open, but all other businesses were ordered to close. 

As the virus has eased its grip on the province in recent weeks ruled have been relaxed, with people allowed to return to work and leave their homes for exercise and to visit other parts of the province.

Easing the lockdown does not come without risks, however – as people who have been isolated away from the virus for months start mixing and cause the potential for a second wave of infection.

New cases have slowed dramatically over the last month, although the first locally transmitted infection in nearly a week was reported in Wuhan Tuesday, along with three cases elsewhere in the country.

But the figures pale in comparison to imported cases, which reached 74 nationwide on Tuesday – a trend that has fuelled anxiety about a possible second wave of infections just as authorities appeared to be bringing the country’s outbreak under control.

Seven more people died, the National Health Commission said, all in Wuhan. 

The 74 imported cases were the most since officials started reporting the data at the beginning of March, and the number was nearly double that reported Monday. 

A man wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus walking along a street in Wuhan in China, March 12

A man wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus walking along a street in Wuhan in China, March 12

Restrictions have been slowly eased in Wuhan, with some workers allowed to return to their jobs provided appropriate social distancing measures are adhered to

Restrictions have been slowly eased in Wuhan, with some workers allowed to return to their jobs provided appropriate social distancing measures are adhered to

As nations across the globe battle to contain the pandemic, which has now killed more than 16,500 people worldwide, the total tally of imported cases in China has soared to 427.

Many cities have brought in tough rules to quarantine arrivals, and all Beijing-bound international flights are being diverted to other urban centres where passengers are screened for the virus.

Authorities in Beijing said Tuesday that anyone entering China via another city and then making their way to the capital in the last two weeks would also be tested for the virus and told to enter quarantine.

Shanghai and Beijing each reported a locally-transmitted infection Tuesday that came from an imported patient.

State media warned of a second wave from abroad, with the nationalistic Global Times saying on its front page that “inadequate quarantine measures” meant it was “highly likely, even inevitable”.

There have now been more than 81,000 cases in China and the death toll has reached 3,277.

As the rate of infection slows in China, the rest of the world has stepped up measures to try and battle the raging pandemic.

Workers disinfect a subway train in preparation for the restoration of public transport in Wuhan, as coronavirus restrictions are slowly lifted

Workers disinfect a subway train in preparation for the restoration of public transport in Wuhan, as coronavirus restrictions are slowly lifted

Residents wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus taking a walk in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province, March 12

Residents wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus taking a walk in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province, March 12

China is anxious about an influx of infections brought in from other countries, with the number of imported cases climbing steadily in recent weeks to pass 350.

Of the 39 new cases reported Monday, 10 were in Shanghai and 10 were in Beijing.

Many cities have brought in tough rules to quarantine new arrivals.

Authorities have said all Beijing-bound international flights will be diverted to other cities where they will be screened for the virus to help make the process more efficient.

Those who get the all-clear will be allowed to continue to Beijing where they will still be sent to quarantine facilities.

There have now been over 81,000 cases in China, and the death toll has reached 3,270.