Chongqing- Chongqing, a city of 32 million people in Southwest China, has faced a most formidable challenge over the past month since the recent COVID-19 outbreak, with over 90,000 infections found in this current outbreak. 

After great effort, 30 districts and counties in Chongqing achieved zero-COVID status at the community level by November 30, according to the municipal health commission. 

As the epidemic has been contained, starting from 3rd December, Chongqing is gradually resuming operations in all aspects with relaxed epidemic controls, from businesses to public transport. The hustle and bustle of city life have finally returned. 

Guarantee living materials for citizens 

During the fight, there are no outsiders nor bystanders in front of the epidemic. More than 600,000 Chongqing residents have become volunteers to fight against the epidemic, and millions of citizens help each other, protecting their homes and the city in action. 

During the pandemic, the question of how to maintain the essentials for life and epidemic prevention materials for 10 million people in the central urban area has become one of the most critical issues.

To this end, the supermarkets, community vegetable stores, and convenience stores were open with a wide range of products and stable prices, with the supply team and volunteers delivering materials to residents who couldn't leave their homes. 

Meanwhile, the army of supply assurance shuttled through the streets and alleys, with the supporting initiatives launched by the logistics companies to ensure fast and safe delivery, such as increased disinfection and workforce, the introduction of non-contact mode, etc. 

Secure production and cross-border passage

While preventing and fighting the epidemic, Chongqing, an important industrial city in China, has implemented closed production and closed-loop management for vital industrial enterprises.

"The government has tried all means to reduce the impact on the industrial economy since the outbreak," said Tu Xingyong, spokesperson of the Chongqing Commission of Economy and Informatization. "So far, the production and operation of the city's industrial enterprises are generally controllable and better than expected." 

Data shows significant enterprises in Chongqing have been operating in a closed-loop environment and over 1 million workers, 74.5 percent of the total, were on the job in November. 

Furthermore, efforts have also been made on the cross-border passage to smooth Chongqing's foreign exchange. Since November, international logistics of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has taken the initiative to connect with trading enterprises and optimize their logistics plans, especially for critical enterprises in automobile, motorcycle manufacturing, and equipment manufacturing. 

One example is the Chongqing cross-border highway shuttle bus operated by Chongqing Highway Transportation ASEAN International Logistics Co., Ltd. To ensure safety and smooth cross-border passage, the company contacted the border ports of Guangxi Province and Yunnan Province and adjusted the transportation plan in time according to the epidemic prevention measures for ports.