Passengers on a ferry crossing the Yangtze River, looking at Wuhan skyline at sunset, in January 2021.
Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, is where the covid-19 epidemic started spreading a large scale. The hardest hit place in China with thousands of death, the city was put on total lock-down on January 23rd 2020, for over two months during which residents were confined to their home.
On Qingming day (celebration of the dead), a couple arrives at Biandanshan cemetery holding the portrait of a dead relative and carrying his ashes. A member of their neighborhood committee has come along. This was the second day residents of Wuhan were allowed to tend to their dead relatives and funerals were strictly regulated. No more than two relatives of the deceased were allowed to go to the cemetery and they had to be escorted by a member of the neighborhood committee.
At a shut down restaurant, a cook is taking a nap (April 2020). As Wuhan was slowly opening up, restaurants were not allowed to take patrons, but they some were operating for deliveries.
A packed restaurant on Friday evening, with maskless clients (January 2021). Since the lockdown ended, and with months without a single local case of covid transmission, restaurants are packed again with young crowds.
On new year’s eve 2020, a group of students is celebrating the beginning of a 2 months holidays, with food, songs and lots of drinks.
On January 1st 2021, a group of tango aficionados has gathered for a small party at a private studio apartment.
At a punk music concert an enthusiastic crowd waving at the band (January 2021). Wuhan is well known for its punk-rock scene and concert venues have resumed their regular schedules holding as many as five concerts a week. Many in the audience don’t wear face masks.
A Communist Party cell of the German manufacturer Bosch poses for a souvenir picture in front of the exhibition hall where they just visited an exhibition about the fight against Covid. The Communist Party of China has taken much credit for the successful containment of the covid epidemic. In particular, the neighborhood committees have been have been very efficient at identifying infected households and enforcing a strict lockdown thus limiting the spread of the virus.
At an exhibition on the fight against the covid epidemic, a video shows President Xi Jinping making a speech. The containment of the epidemic is a victory for the Chinese Communist Party with Xi Jinping at its helm, stresses the official narrative.
At an exhibition on the fight against the covid epidemic, visitors watching a video showing volunteer medical staff who have come to Wuhan in support, as the outbreak strained the local healthcare capabilities beyond its limits. Local medical staff as well as volunteers from all over China have been made heroes of the fight against the epidemic.
A man in hazmat suit is spreading disinfectant in the venue for a fashion show that took place an hour before (January 2021). Even though there hasn’t been a single local transmission of covid since May 2020, prevention is taken seriously and indoor gathering places re frequently disinfected.
Outside a neighborhood health center, a man is being tested for the covid-19 (April 2020). To get back to work or to travel outside Wuhan, covid-19 tests have become compulsory. Long lines of people waiting to be tested could be seen outside health centres. In Wuhan, unlike many overseas metropolis affected by the pandemic, there was no shortage of tests, 2 months after the peak of the epidemic.
A customer in the waiting area set up outside a bank (April 2020). As the city lock down eased up, businesses reopened but with strict covid prevention rules. Customers where only allowed one at a time inside banks and post office, and only after thorough check up of their health status.
The emergency room of Zhongnan Hospital, one of Wuhan’s largest. During the outbreak the hospital was submerged daily by hundreds of infected people seeking care which the hospital was in no capacity to provide in such great numbers. Temporary hospitals were set-up from scratch, or using stadiums, convention centers and hotels with the objective of isolating infected people from the rest of the population. A strategy that proved efficient.
Outside Zhongnan Hospital a nurse is helping people to get a covid test. They are compulsory for in-patients as well as relatives and friends who want to visit. Nucleic test have to be complemented by blood tests for anti-bodies as well as pulmonary CT-scan.
A the canteen of a Lenovo factory producing smartphones and tablets, the formerly communal cafeteria tables have been partitioned off by vertical barriers covered in reminders to avoid conversations. The barriers have been set-up to avoid possible covid contamination.
In the lobby of a luxury hotel, an infrared camera has been set up to monitor the visitors body temperature.
At the entrance of a park a security guard is pointing a handheld thermometer to a visitor’s forehead (April 2020). Parks don’t have anymore body temperature or health code checkpoints.
On a popular pedestrian street crowds of yound people have gathered to celebrate the new year, overwhelming the police trying to channel the flow of revelers. A year after the outbreak, residents are no longer worried about large gatherings.
A couple adjusting a face mask on their toddler. Face masks are no longer mandatory in Wuhan, except in public transports and hospitals, however most people still wear one in public places both indoor and outdoor.
Families at Happy Valley entertainment parks during a show. Once the lock-down lifted, entertainment parks have become popular destinations again.
A line has formed at a popular attraction of Happy Valley entertainment park.
On a chill night a group of youth having drinks around a brasero.
A market alleyway in Minquan neighbourhood slated for renovation.
In a neighbourhood earmarked for demolition, an elderly couple in front of their home. Entire old neighborhoods are planned to be demolished/rebuilt as the city revamps itself.
A woman, on her way to grocery shopping, holding her face mask in a demolished neighborhood. Entire old neighbourhoods are planned to be demolished/rebuilt as the city revamps itself.
In Zhongshan Park, a woman dressed up for a portrait photo, while a member of the team is looking on from behind.
A model taking a break during fashion show held on a boat on the Yangtze River.
A man in a Wuhan park on the day the city lock-down was officially lifted (April 8th 2020)
On a chill winter day, a swimmer about to jump in the Yangtze River as a cargo loaded with cars is cruising along.
A couple listening to a pop song concert at a newly opened music bar.
Graves at Biandanshan cemetery, one of the largest in Wuhan, and where many of the city Covid victims have been laid to rest.
A man looking at Wuhan skyline by the Yangtze River under the Yangsigang bridge.