China Focus: China lifts 76-day lockdown on virus-hit Wuhan-Eastday

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China Focus: China lifts 76-day lockdown on virus-hit Wuhan

From:Xinhua | 2020-04-08 15:14

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A flight attendant aboard flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines guides a passenger at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

WUHAN, April 8 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wuhan, the city hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak, ending a lockdown that sealed off around 10 million people from the rest of the world for 76 days.

The easing of travel restrictions came after new infections have been drastically reduced across China, marking a milestone in the country's fight against the epidemic while giving confidence to a world grappling to contain the virus's ferocious spread.

After barricades were removed at toll gates around Wuhan at Tuesday midnight, vehicles in long lines honked horns and rushed out, in an outpouring of celebratory sentiment at the long-awaited moment.

"I can't wait to return to my hometown," said Guo Lei, a businessman in Wuhan driving to his home in Shandong Province. "I and my relatives were all stranded here due to the epidemic."

Shortly after midnight at Wuchang Railway Station, more than 400 passengers jumped on train K81 heading for Guangzhou in the south, the first train leaving Wuhan after the lockdown was lifted. More than 55,000 passengers are expected to leave Wuhan by train on Wednesday.

At 7:22 a.m., flight MU2527 took off from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, heading for the southern resort city of Sanya. It was the first flight leaving the airport after over two months of hiatus.

"It is my great honor to accompany you to the dreamy faraway place," captain Mao Lin told passengers in an inflight announcement.

On Jan. 23, Wuhan declared unprecedented traffic restrictions, including suspending the city's public transport and all outbound flights and trains. Similar restrictions were soon introduced in other areas in Hubei.

A key part of the strictest and the most comprehensive public health measures in modern human history, the lockdown on Wuhan has proved effective in curbing the spread of the deadly virus.

For weeks, the megacity had been the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China, reporting over 50,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,500 deaths, accounting for 61 percent and 77 percent of the national total, respectively.

On March 18, Wuhan reported no new infections for the first time and has since largely maintained the positive trend.

"Locking down Wuhan was an unprecedented measure in China. It was really a surprise to me that such a big decision was made," said Zhang Jingnong, director of the emergency department at the Wuhan Union Hospital.

"In retrospect, it was a completely correct move. Sealing off Wuhan won time for the country and the world to cope with the outbreak," said Zhang, who himself was infected with the virus on the job but has since recovered.

During the time Wuhan was put in isolation, the Chinese government mobilized over 100,000 medical personnel to fight the outbreak in the city. As of Tuesday, over 46,000 patients in Wuhan had been discharged from hospital.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has hailed China's prompt and decisive measures against the pandemic.

"In the face of a previously unknown virus, China has rolled out perhaps the most ambitious, agile and aggressive disease containment effort in history," said a report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on COVID-19 released in late February.

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Passengers line up to check in for flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Crew members of flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines prepare for their flight at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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A flight attendant performs finger dance for passengers aboard flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Pilots of flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines prepare for their flight at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Passengers board flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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A passenger boards flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Copilot Yang Yang of flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines gestures before takeoff at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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A flight attendant wearing a face mask and goggles serves passengers aboard flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Passengers wait to check in for flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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A pilot of flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines gestures before takeoff at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Passengers head for check-in counters for flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Crew members of flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines prepare for takeoff at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Crew members of flight MU2527 of China Eastern airlines get ready to depart at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions, after almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

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Passengers prepare to enter the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Aerial photo taken on April 8, 2020 shows passengers entering the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Passengers prepare to enter the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Passengers prepare to enter the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Passengers walk to the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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A taxi picks up passengers at the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Aerial stitched photo taken on April 8, 2020 shows passengers entering the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Taxis pick up passengers at the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Passengers prepare to enter the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Passengers prepare to enter the Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. Wuhan on Wednesday lifted outbound travel restrictions. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

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Crew members pose for a photo on flight ZH9127 of Shenzhen Airlines at the Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. Flight ZH9127 was the first flying from Shenzhen to Wuhan, after Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, lifted outbound travel restrictions from Wednesday following almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

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A passenger boards flight ZH9127 of Shenzhen Airlines at the Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. Flight ZH9127 was the first flying from Shenzhen to Wuhan, after Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, lifted outbound travel restrictions from Wednesday following almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

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A passenger of flight ZH9127 of Shenzhen Airlines has temperature checked at the Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. Flight ZH9127 was the first flying from Shenzhen to Wuhan, after Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, lifted outbound travel restrictions from Wednesday following almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

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A stewardess talks with passengers on flight ZH9127 of Shenzhen Airlines at the Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. Flight ZH9127 was the first flying from Shenzhen to Wuhan, after Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, lifted outbound travel restrictions from Wednesday following almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

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Stewardesses make preparations on flight ZH9127 of Shenzhen Airlines at the Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. Flight ZH9127 was the first flying from Shenzhen to Wuhan, after Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, lifted outbound travel restrictions from Wednesday following almost 11 weeks of lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

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Passengers from Wuhan register their information at the Chongqing North Railway Station in Chongqing, southwest China, April 8, 2020. As the train Z3 from Beijing to Chongqing reached the Chongqing North Railway Station Wednesday morning, the first group of 87 passengers from Wuhan arrived in Chongqing since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

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Passengers from Wuhan walk out of the Chongqing North Railway Station through a special passage in Chongqing, southwest China, April 8, 2020. As the train Z3 from Beijing to Chongqing reached the Chongqing North Railway Station Wednesday morning, the first group of 87 passengers from Wuhan arrived in Chongqing since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

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Passengers from Wuhan get off the train Z3 at Chongqing North Railway Station in Chongqing, southwest China, April 8, 2020. As the train Z3 from Beijing to Chongqing reached the Chongqing North Railway Station Wednesday morning, the first group of 87 passengers from Wuhan arrived in Chongqing since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

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Train Z3 carrying passengers from Wuhan arrives at the Chongqing North Railway Station in Chongqing, southwest China, April 8, 2020. As the train Z3 from Beijing to Chongqing reached the Chongqing North Railway Station Wednesday morning, the first group of 87 passengers from Wuhan arrived in Chongqing since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

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Passengers from Wuhan receive temperature checking at the Chongqing North Railway Station in Chongqing, southwest China, April 8, 2020. As the train Z3 from Beijing to Chongqing reached the Chongqing North Railway Station Wednesday morning, the first group of 87 passengers from Wuhan arrived in Chongqing since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

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Passengers line up to enter the Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. With long lines of cars streaming through expressway tollgates and masked passengers boarding trains, the megacity of Wuhan in central China lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday after almost 11 weeks of lockdown imposed to stem the COVID-19 outbreak. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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Passengers prepare to take trains at the Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. With long lines of cars streaming through expressway tollgates and masked passengers boarding trains, the megacity of Wuhan in central China lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday after almost 11 weeks of lockdown imposed to stem the COVID-19 outbreak. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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A staff member guides a passenger to scan the QR code for health check before taking the train at the Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. With long lines of cars streaming through expressway tollgates and masked passengers boarding trains, the megacity of Wuhan in central China lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday after almost 11 weeks of lockdown imposed to stem the COVID-19 outbreak. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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Passengers scan the QR code for health check before taking trains at the Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. With long lines of cars streaming through expressway tollgates and masked passengers boarding trains, the megacity of Wuhan in central China lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday after almost 11 weeks of lockdown imposed to stem the COVID-19 outbreak. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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Passengers walk in the Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, April 8, 2020. With long lines of cars streaming through expressway tollgates and masked passengers boarding trains, the megacity of Wuhan in central China lifted outbound travel restrictions on Wednesday after almost 11 weeks of lockdown imposed to stem the COVID-19 outbreak. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

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Passengers get off the train G1005 and leave the Guangzhou South Railway Station in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. G1005, the first train that departed from Wuhan to Guangdong Province since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions arrived at Guangzhou South Railway Station on Wednesday. The train was destined for Shenzhen. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

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A stewardess is on duty as the train G1005 arrives at Guangzhou South Railway Station in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. G1005, the first train that departed from Wuhan to Guangdong Province since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions arrived at Guangzhou South Railway Station on Wednesday. The train was destined for Shenzhen. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

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A passenger gets off the train G1005 and leaves the Guangzhou South Railway Station under the help of a staff member in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. G1005, the first train that departed from Wuhan to Guangdong Province since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions arrived at Guangzhou South Railway Station on Wednesday. The train was destined for Shenzhen. (Xinhua/Lu Ye)

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Passengers get off the train G1005 at Guangzhou South Railway Station in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. G1005, the first train that departed from Wuhan to Guangdong Province since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions arrived at Guangzhou South Railway Station on Wednesday. The train was destined for Shenzhen. (Xinhua/Lu Ye)

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The train G1005 arrives at Guangzhou South Railway Station in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. G1005, the first train that departed from Wuhan to Guangdong Province since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions arrived at Guangzhou South Railway Station on Wednesday. The train was destined for Shenzhen. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

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The train G1005 leaves for Shenzhen North Station after a stop at Guangzhou South Railway Station in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 8, 2020. G1005, the first train that departed from Wuhan to Guangdong Province since Wuhan lifted outbound travel restrictions arrived at Guangzhou South Railway Station on Wednesday. The train was destined for Shenzhen. (Xinhua/Lu Ye)