As the Spring Festival draws to a close, Beijing is still bathed in the festival atmosphere of ringing out the old and ushering in the new, with red lanterns brightening up the cold winter days. Th...
by
China Today
At the turret of the Forbidden City, which usually bustles with large crowds, no photography enthusiasts armed with a variety of cameras are to be seen. A child riding a scooter stops to rest near the turret.
Beijing Braving the Novel Coronavirus
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As the Spring Festival draws to a close, Beijing is still bathed in the festival atmosphere of ringing out the old and ushering in the new, with red lanterns brightening up the cold winter days. The sudden onslaught of the coronavirus epidemic seems to weigh heavy in the city air, but the masked faces cannot conceal the sense of orderliness and firm resolve.
A runner exercises along a city canal. Strengthening the body and keeping healthy need conscious actions.Despite the scarcity of pedestrians and vehicles on the streets, the hard-working cleaners remain at their posts and keep the city clean. Beijing Metro authorities have implemented temperature measurement at the entrances to all lines in their network. Staff in protective gear at the entrance of a station quickly check the body temperature of passengers via a thermography system to screen for the virus.Every section of subway stations is being disinfected, including security detectors, automatic fare gates, ticket offices, and elevator handrails.Subway carriages are no longer crowded during this period, with passengers and metro staff wearing masks at all times and disinfection work upgraded to “highest level.”Passengers disembarking a train at Beijing Railway Station have to go through a strict temperature test before exiting.On the buses, security guards, ticket sellers, and passengers all wear masks. The Beijing Public Transport Group has assigned special personnel responsible for vehicle disinfection and ventilation. Sanitizing key areas has been strengthened to ensure optimum safety.In order to reduce human contact and outdoor activities, the public only go out for daily necessities. Vegetables, instant food and milk are in great demand and although shelves are emptied from time to time, ongoing resupply has guaranteed the demand for basic needs is met.Ethyl alcohol and disinfectant are favored by the public for home disinfection.During the Spring Festival, take-away deliverymen continue to provide service to the public. In the city, which currently appears empty, they provide hope and reassurance to thousands of families.The epidemic has failed to deter the enthusiasm of youth. The Apple store in Xidan has taken measures to limit the flow of customers, and young visitors are well supervised by the attentive staff.The overpass of Joy City in Xidan is no longer crowded. Staff in shops along the street, have adopted corresponding precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.The Forbidden City is closed to visitors, who can only go as far as the Meridian Gate, leaving those who have come from afar feeling regretful.A foreign tourist takes photos in front of the Tian’anmen. The mask on the face will leave a lasting impression on her visit.Couples in masks are locked in embrace on a subway platform. Showing affection has its own challenges during an epidemic.A child who gets the rare opportunity to go out is thoroughly dressed up in protective gear.A runner exercises along a city canal. Strengthening the body and keeping healthy need conscious actions.
