Shanghai reopens some public transportation, though the city remains on high Covid alert
Key Takeaways:
- After over two months of being closed, Shanghai reopened a small piece of the world's largest metro system.
- The city of 25 million people intends to lift its city-wide lockdown and return to normalcy on June 1.
On Sunday, Shanghai reopened a tiny section of the world's biggest subway system after some lines had been shuttered for nearly two months, paving the way for a full lifting of the city's excruciating COVID-19 lockdown next week.
Commuters required compelling reasons to travel early on Sunday, with most inhabitants not allowed to leave their homes as well as curbs tightening in portions of China's most populated city.
Consumption, industrial output, and other areas of the Chinese economy have all suffered due to Shanghai's lockdown, forcing policymakers to vow their support.
Many people wearing blue safety robes and face shields walked out into the commercial hub. Passengers were seen maintaining some empty seats between themselves within the vehicles. The crowds were sparse.
A migrant construction worker named Xu Jihua arrived at a subway station before it opened at 7 a.m., expecting to travel to a rail station and then back to his home region of Anhui.
"Employment ceased on March 16," Xu said, adding that he has not been able to collect his monthly 7,000-8,000 yuan ($1,000-$1,100) wage since then and that he will only return to Shanghai once he is certain he will be able to find work.
"Is the lockdown being lifted? It isn't really obvious."
A woman who only wanted to be recognized by her surname Li claimed she needed to see her father in a hospital 8 kilometers (5 miles) away from her last stop.
"I'm going to the heart hospital," Li explained, "but I'm not sure if there will be any cars or transportation until I arrive at the railway station." "It's possible I'll have to walk there."
Four of the 20 lines and 273 bus routes have reopened. Some closed in late March, while others closed later; however, irregular service with a restricted number of stops continued.
From June 1, the city of 25 million people hopes to remove its city-wide lockdown and resume normalcy. This month, most movement limitations will remain in place.
According to the most recent figures, Shanghai's 800-kilometer metro system averaged 7.7 million rides per day in 2020, with an annual passenger throughput of 2.8 billion.
For a limited time, trains will operate 20 minutes apart. Travelers must scan their body temperature at the entry and present negative PCR test results obtained within 48 hours.