From examining travelers to receiving them in complete protective gear, the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first outbreak of the emerging coronavirus appeared, gradually opened its doors to the outside world on Saturday, two months after almost complete isolation.
In a symbolic step, the first passenger train that was allowed to take a trip to it stopped, just after midnight yesterday at Wuhan Station. His photos have spread to all the local media.
"My daughter and I felt very excited when the train approached," said a 36-year-old woman, who declined to be named.
Because of the closure, she did not see her husband for 10 weeks. The young lady said that her daughter "rushed toward her father" when she saw him. "I couldn't stop myself from crying," she added.
To this day, only medical personnel and persons assigned to transport essential goods have been allowed into the city.
But the authorities have gradually lifted these restrictions since Wednesday.
The opening is still partial, as residents have to wait until April 8 to be able to leave Wuhan, when the city's airports will be reopened.
On the other hand, arrivals undergo rigorous checks from measuring their body temperature to checking their identities and asking questions about their movements before they arrive.
These procedures are applied to crew wearing protective masks, goggles, and complete protective gear. The Wuhan Metro reopened its doors yesterday, and the main bus lines were restarted, but some malls remained closed. Wearing the masks, residents still avoid crowded places.
The authorities have warned of unnecessary movements that could facilitate the spread of the virus, after restarting some metro services and opening the borders.