Coronavirus: Tourist sites packed in China after lockdown lifted

BEIJING, CHINA - APRIL 05: People wear protective masks as they walk while enjoying the spring weather on April 5, 2020 at a park in Beijing, China. With the pandemic hitting hard across the world, officially the number of coronavirus cases in China is dwindling, ever since the government imposed sweeping measures to keep the disease from spreading. For more than two months, millions of people across China have been restricted in how they move from their homes, while other cities have been locked down in ways that appeared severe at the time but are now being replicated in other countries trying to contain the virus. Officials believe the worst appears to be over in China, though there are concerns of another wave of infections as the government attempts to reboot the world's second largest economy. In Beijing, it is mandatory to wear masks outdoors, some retail stores still operate on reduced hours, restaurants employ social distancing among patrons, and tourist attractions at risk of drawing large crowds remain closed or allow only limited access. Monitoring and enforcement of virus-related measures and the quarantine of anyone arriving to Beijing is carried out by neighborhood committees and a network of Communist Party volunteers who wear red arm bands. Since January, China has recorded more than 81,000 cases of COVID-19 and at least 3200 deaths, mostly in and around the city of Wuhan, in central Hubei province, where the outbreak first started.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

BEIJING, CHINA - APRIL 05: People wear protective masks as they walk while enjoying the spring weather on April 5, 2020 at a park in Beijing, China. With the pandemic hitting hard across the world, officially the number of coronavirus cases in China is dwindling, ever since the government imposed sweeping measures to keep the disease from spreading. For more than two months, millions of people across China have been restricted in how they move from their homes, while other cities have been locked down in ways that appeared severe at the time but are now being replicated in other countries trying to contain the virus. Officials believe the worst appears to be over in China, though there are concerns of another wave of infections as the government attempts to reboot the world's second largest economy. In Beijing, it is mandatory to wear masks outdoors, some retail stores still operate on reduced hours, restaurants employ social distancing among patrons, and tourist attractions at risk of drawing large crowds remain closed or allow only limited access. Monitoring and enforcement of virus-related measures and the quarantine of anyone arriving to Beijing is carried out by neighborhood committees and a network of Communist Party volunteers who wear red arm bands. Since January, China has recorded more than 81,000 cases of COVID-19 and at least 3200 deaths, mostly in and around the city of Wuhan, in central Hubei province, where the outbreak first started.

The lockdown in China has been lifted, and now people are gathering in large groups at popular tourist sites and major cities in the country.

Thousands of people were packed into Huangshan Mountain park in Anhui province.

It was so crowded that it was closed to more visitors before 8 a.m. local time Saturday. It has a 20,000 person daily capacity, Global Times, a China state-run media organization said, according to CNN.

This weekend was the Qingming Festival, the Global Times reported.

It is also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, when people go outside to enjoy spring, while also showing respect to ancestors.

Shanghai's Bund waterfront shopping district went from being deserted to streets filled with shoppers and tourists, CNN reported.

In Beijing, city parks and open spaces were packed with people.

While there were many people leaving their homes for time outside, they were taking precautions, wearing masks while in the crowds.

China has more than 82,640 cases of coronavirus and 3,335 reported deaths, CNN reported.

About the Author