In Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi province, it seems that life is returning to normal as the threat from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic fades away.

Similar changes are also being noticed in China's other regions formerly seriously affected by SARS, including Beijing andHebei province.

In the Chinese capital, Beijing Matsushita Color CRT Co., Ltd. (BMCC) has resumed production, which had been halted on May 14 because a number of SARS cases were spotted among its staff.

Fan Wenqiang, deputy general manager of the company, said that most of the 5,200 workers had returned to work.

"All six production lines have started and our total capacity has reached the previous level," said Fan.

In Hebei, the provincial government has decided to gradually resume normal cultural activities, recreation businesses, travel, wholesale and retail business.

According to statistics from the Chinese Ministry of Health, the daily number of new SARS cases nationwide dropped to zero on Thursday, as against about 100 a day around a month ago.

"Finally, we can walk in parks and inhale fresh air freely again," said a woman surnamed Zhang in Taiyuan. "Its a great feeling!"

But there are still concerns as to how far people, business, and the government can go.

"We have to remain vigilant," said a lady with a state-owned enterprise in Taiyuan. "Now is not a good time to eat out. We'll have plenty of opportunities to dine in good restaurants in the future."

At BMCC, workers have to pass body temperature tests to enter workshops.

"If his temperature exceeds the alert mark, the worker will be turned away and sent for further examination at clinics," said Wang Xingjun, an executive with the manufacturing division.

In the workshops, workers are asked to wear face masks if theirwork posts are near to each other. In dining halls, diners can siton only one side of the dining tables to avoid sitting face to face.

In Hebei, the provincial government has set forth a number of prerequisites for reopening certain service facilities. For dance halls, Karaoke halls, disco halls and Internet bars, good ventilation is a must.

In addition, they have to limit the number of customers within 60 percent of the normal accommodation capacity and must take the temperatures of customers at the entrance.

By and large, the whole situation has improved greatly, but still falls short of meeting the expectations of most people in China.

Recently, the following text message has been circulating amongmobile phones users in China:

"When SARS is gone, I'll choose to go to the most crowded venues, like the watching the national flag hoisting ceremony at magnificent Tian'anmen Square; I'll travel around the country by train and sit in the most crowded cars; I'll eat at top brand restaurants and treat myself to recreations in other public places..."

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2003)