Wuhan (China) (AFP)

Cars are once again on the streets and shopping enthusiasts find the department stores in Wuhan. But the Chinese city at the epicenter of Covid-19 remains on the alert facing the coronavirus.

The municipality of 11 million inhabitants, like others in the central province of Hubei, were placed in quarantine at the end of January. A drastic decision then taken to stop the spread of the disease.

The majority of 3,322 deaths and 81,620 cases of contamination with the new coronavirus recorded in China were recorded in Wuhan.

With the number of newly infected people now almost zero, authorities have started to lift travel restrictions. They also allow people outside the city to enter.

Consequence: the streets come alive again for a few days.

AFP photos and videos, taken at the end of January at the start of the confinement, then this week after its partial lifting, show the extent of the radical change of atmosphere.

At the time, the streets were empty and silent, the shops closed, fear was everywhere and the residents panicked to buy food and medicine.

Traffic is gradually resuming, businesses are reviving and residents can again plan their daily lives.

"We have to hold on! Otherwise, what's the point of continuing to live, right?", Waiwai, the owner of a small cafe in Wuhan, told AFP. His establishment reopened on Sunday, but only for takeout - social distancing requires.

China is wary of a potential second epidemic wave, which could be caused by people from countries where the Covid-19 is still raging, notably the United States or Europe.

Wuhan Municipality warned on Friday that a complete return to normal will still take time. She called for avoiding any "relaxation" and called for maintaining certain restrictions, the wearing of masks, and limits on gatherings.

"Of course there is still a risk. Among the people who will come from outside the city, there will certainly be imported cases," said Bian, a young man of 26 who works in the food.

Accompanied by friends who had come to stroll through a department store like him, he said he was happy to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"It feels good. I've been stuck at home for too long."

burs-txj-dma / ehl / sbr / avz

© 2020 AFP