China has recently claimed that businesses and industry were returning to a state of normality. However, while the numbers of new cases of COVID-19 are seemingly reducing in China, the situation is far from normal. Indeed even outside the main hotspots, such as Wuhan in Hubei province, where the first cases of the coronavirus were detected, lockdowns remain in force along with strict regulations.
Even in the nation's capital, Beijing, whilst life is returning to the streets, which have been empty for weeks, for the most part the city remains a ghost town.
"Residential areas are still under closed-off management," one Beijing resident tells tvnewswatch, "There is only entry with a permit, and body temperatures are taken."
Indeed many people prefer to stay at home if they have no need to go out. Today was a little different. Blue skies and slightly warmer temperatures brought out a few people who could be spotted walking in the parks of the huge metropolis. The scene would appear completely normal but for the fact they were wearing masks.
But as for work, few businesses are back to normal. Some businesses are up and running but many are implementing shifts, using only half their staff in rotation as new government rules apparently require a minimum of 2 square metres around each worker.
"We have been working from home for three weeks," says Emma (her chosen English name), "Next week we may go to the office, but not all the staff at the same time."
Being office based, working at home is an option. But for many businesses the lockdown has devastated business.
"Most restaurants and shops are still closed and for restaurants that are open, they're almost empty," says Emma, "Most people are on guard to avoid contact with strangers."
Even popular areas such as Sanlitun, an expat hotspot which is home to some of the city's most exciting places to eat, drink and party, is quieter than usual. "There are people, but far fewer than at normal times," she says.
These are not normal times, however. And it's difficult to see when life will return to normal, not only for the 20 million inhabitants of Beijing, but for the more than 1.4 billion people across China who are experiencing similar if not tighter restrictions.
tvnewswatch, London, UK
Even in the nation's capital, Beijing, whilst life is returning to the streets, which have been empty for weeks, for the most part the city remains a ghost town.
"Residential areas are still under closed-off management," one Beijing resident tells tvnewswatch, "There is only entry with a permit, and body temperatures are taken."
Indeed many people prefer to stay at home if they have no need to go out. Today was a little different. Blue skies and slightly warmer temperatures brought out a few people who could be spotted walking in the parks of the huge metropolis. The scene would appear completely normal but for the fact they were wearing masks.
But as for work, few businesses are back to normal. Some businesses are up and running but many are implementing shifts, using only half their staff in rotation as new government rules apparently require a minimum of 2 square metres around each worker.
"We have been working from home for three weeks," says Emma (her chosen English name), "Next week we may go to the office, but not all the staff at the same time."
Being office based, working at home is an option. But for many businesses the lockdown has devastated business.
"Most restaurants and shops are still closed and for restaurants that are open, they're almost empty," says Emma, "Most people are on guard to avoid contact with strangers."
Even popular areas such as Sanlitun, an expat hotspot which is home to some of the city's most exciting places to eat, drink and party, is quieter than usual. "There are people, but far fewer than at normal times," she says.
These are not normal times, however. And it's difficult to see when life will return to normal, not only for the 20 million inhabitants of Beijing, but for the more than 1.4 billion people across China who are experiencing similar if not tighter restrictions.
tvnewswatch, London, UK
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