The number of people wearing face masks in street has visibly
dropped, traffic is growing and diners in restaurants are on rise.
And there is even a poster inviting people to enroll for Latin
dance classes.
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)
