Wuhan waits for coronavirus lockdown to end, but controls on movement likely to remain in force
- City residents will finally be allowed outside next week, but only if they can prove they are in good health and live in an ‘epidemic-free’ compound
- Authorities remain concerned about new Covid-19 cases, particularly those from people who show no symptoms
Wuhan residents are waiting for their unprecedented lockdown to be lifted this week, but some restrictions will remain in place because of concerns about further infections.
Residents of the capital of Hubei province will be allowed to leave the city from Wednesday onwards if they are in good health and have the necessary permits.
The city, where the first cases of Covid-19 were identified, has been locked down since January 23.
Controls have already been lifted in many other parts of China and people have been permitted to travel in other parts of Hubei since the end of March.
But Wuhan remains alert to the risk of another outbreak, particularly from asymptomatic carriers.
On Saturday one resident of the city was confirmed to have the coronavirus that causes the disease despite showing no symptoms for the past two months. The virus was only detected when the resident went for a health check-up on March 30.