Chongqing- According to the Hubei Provincial COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters, the control measures for departure from Wuhan were removed from 12 a.m. on April 8 and the external traffic is restored orderly. Besides, all people, who want to depart from Wuhan, should bring his/her health code to ensure security. Wuhan reopens after a 76-day lockdown.

A staff member removes barricade near an expressway toll station in western Wuhan, Hubei. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

At 2 o'clock in the morning on January 23, Wuhan's epidemic prevention and control headquarters of COVID-19 announced that Wuhan's bus, subway, ferry, and long-distance transportation were suspended from 10:00 on that day. At the same time, the departure channels of airports and railway stations were temporarily closed. Wuhan fell asleep.

The control of departure channels in Wuhan was removed

As a large transportation junction along with the Yangtze River, Wuhan is a major city in China. In order to stop the spread of COVID-19 effectively, The people of Wuhan have made great contributions and sacrifices, which is unprecedented in China’s history. Wuhan is a megacity with more than 3,000 communities, more than 7,000 residential areas, and more than 4.2 million households. Wuhan had investigated and treated 20,000 patients of various types. Moreover, the nucleic acid testing stocks of four types of people (confirmed cases, suspected cases, patients with fever but cannot be confirmed, and close contacts) in Wuhan have been cleared.

All people, who want to depart from Wuhan, should bring his/her health code to ensure security

On the afternoon of April 7, according to the Wuhan Traffic Management Bureau, there were 75 control points of departure channels in total set up in Wuhan before. Meanwhile, the traffic flow of Wuhan is expected to achieve the peak, which is estimated to reach 1.8 million vehicles, on April 8 and will gradually ease around April 15.

The first inbound flight on April 8

Among all toll stations there, Wuhan North Toll Station of Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, Gongjialing Toll Station of Wu-Ezhou Expressway, Wuchang Toll Station of Qingling-Zhengdian Expressway, and Qintai Toll Station of Hanyang-Caidian Expressway will meet relatively large traffic volume. In addition, Wuhan Tianhe Airport planned 233 sorties for inbound and outbound flights throughout the day on April 8, including 111 outbound flights and 122 inbound flights.

The first outbound flight to Sanya on April 8

On the evening of April 7, the Hubei COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters announced that no new confirmed cases do not mean there is no risk and removing departure control does not mean giving up all epidemic prevention and control. Everyone and every department should insist on strict epidemic prevention and control measures to accelerate the recovery of economic and social order.