Life is returning to once the epicenter of COVID-19. Wuhan is now breathing again with trains allowed to open for the citizens, half a dozen lines and routes re-opened and the busses up and running again. Public is allowed to move out if necessary and travel has been opened too. But once people arrive at Wuhan station, they are checked to the core to be sure if they are healthy or not. At the station each and every passenger has to undergo the medical test after they register at the health reception, their temperature is checked by the medical team. If the result comes positive or the medics doubt their health, they are sent to the quarantine to spend 14 days so that they won’t put others health in threat although if the result comes out negative they are provided with a green code on their mobile phone’s application as a health certificate which shows that they are considered to be healthy.
With the changes being made and people finally being allowed to enter the province, trains have been fully booked in advance. Many people will now be able to see their loved ones after months of complete lockdown. Security and medical staff at Wuhan station do not want to take any risks; they all wear full protective gear religiously. Gloves, respirators, sanitizers, testing kits and masks can be seen everywhere around the station. The medics are paying special attention to the nationals who are returning from overseas, they are more concerned for the people who are arriving from the infected countries. Although few domestic airlines are now serving to carry passengers just like the trains, but the security measures are not compromised at all.
According to the official statistics, only one new case has been reported in the past week. Medical as well as the government officials looking over the pandemic considers the fall of COVID-19 cases graph has stated it as a great accomplishment overall. There are finally more people leaving than arriving to hospitals. Medics are seen bidding an eager farewell to some of the hundreds they had cared for the last months. The state television recently showed an aerial view of a hospital where rows of empty beds can be seen as a success of medical team in tackling the deadly virus of corona.
Although few domestic airlines are now serving to carry passengers just like the trains, but the security measures are not compromised at all
During the battle against COVID-19 thousands of doctors were being called to Wuhan on government’s emergency order, the moral and professional duty of the doctors could not keep them away during the crucial conditions when it was time to fulfill their promises. The Chinese medics paid a high cost during the pandemic, they were away from their cities, their families and their normal life for months, they spent countless sleepless nights by sacrificing their rest and personal health. Normal lunch break time was reduced to least minutes possible; the break given to rest was way too short for the medical and other staff due to which many of them would sleep within the hospitals wherever they could find a flat surface. Countless pictures circulated on social media platforms which showed how much of sacrifices have the medics made in order to save the people. Among these thousands of doctors 1,300 doctors themselves got infected while 13 lost their lives for the cause. With the falling number of COVID-19 cases, all the temporary hospitals are being closed by now.
After months of indefatigable medical war against COVID-19 when the rays of hope began to appear, the government passed the order, allowing medics to move back to their hometowns. The medical staff, including ward people, nurses, doctors and all other associated staff left with protocol in the special busses and other transports, a warm thanksgiving gesture was shown where they were gifted bouquets, salutes and due respects by the government officials as well as the public. Finally they departed to unite with their families.
However the unease of COVID-19 has not gone completely. With zero new domestic cases where the doctors were relieve to some extent, the international travelling routes continued to bring the virus back to China. The flights from other infected countries like Iran, Japan and Hong Kong have convinced the Chinese government to take quick measures to ensure that the graph of pandemic do not rise furthermore. Keeping the fact in mind that now the pandemic is coming from overseas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced temporary suspension of entry by foreign nationals holding Chinese visas or residential permits. According to this announcement no one would be able to enter China after March 28. Only the diplomats and officials holding special permission from the Chinese government will be able to enter China.
Whereas the growing numbers of COVID-19 cases around the world and the daily declining of local cases in the mainland of China, China fears the second wave of infection which according to some medical experts might occur. The health experts are still stressing that need of cautions are still required. They warned that people with mild infections and symptoms should be overlooked strictly as well.
Before this announcement China was already paying high attention and price to the people travelling back to China, all the international travelers were obligated to stay in a 14-day quarantine strictly, which many foreigners did also. Later the cost of keeping people in quarantines, and managing their daily expenses started bothering the budget of local authorities. The pandemic has already given a set back to the economy and such expenditures were burdening the government meanwhile the fear of infections remained same. Quick actions were need of the hour which brought China to the conclusion to totally ban the entry of foreigners in China in order to secure their country at first hand.
The writer is a teacher in China