Wedding photos, picnics, swimming ... Life is gradually resuming its course in Wuhan. Cut off from the world for seventy-six days, this Chinese city of 11 million inhabitants, birthplace of the Covid-19, saw its confinement lifted on April 8.

These scenes of life contrast with the ghost town atmosphere that reigned in Wuhan just after its quarantine in late January. Even traffic jams have re-emerged on some arteries.

"It may take a while, but it is moving in the right direction," said Bai Xue, a 24-year-old resident.

Economic concerns

But the city does not completely lower the guard. Metro users are therefore encouraged to scan a QR code using their mobile phone to be located in the event of contact with a patient. Residences continue to check in and out. And plastic barriers still block access to certain streets.

Residents are also worried about the timid economic recovery. "It is not easy to find a job, most of the opportunities are jobs in delivery," said Li Xiongjie, an employee.

The town hall is trying to reverse the trend. It thus distributed 65 million euros in vouchers, which Wuhan people can use in supermarkets, department stores or restaurants.

Most food shops, however, remain closed. And open ones are only allowed to take out. "We have very, very few customers," sighs Ms. Han, a 27-year-old woman who owns a small soy milk stand. "People are afraid of asymptomatic cases."

For several weeks, no new case of coronavirus has been detected. The authorities now fear contamination by asymptomatic people returning from abroad.

With AFP

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