Beijing back to work, but city eerily quiet
By the Associated Press
Schools remain close and many working from home
BEIJING (AP) — Officially, much of China got back to work on Monday but there were few signs of activity on the streets of the capital, Beijing.
Schools remained closed and many worked from home, hoping to avoid crowds and the risk of catching the new virus that has killed more than 900 people and sickened upwards of 40,000.
Panic buying has been reported in many areas, with items such as rice, bottled water, dry noodles and cleaning products the most sought after. Fresh meat, fruit and vegetables remained widely available, reflecting the government’s demand that suppliers be exempted from rigid travel restrictions.
Beijing’s broad avenues were largely free of traffic and thousands of rental bikes stood in long ranks with hardly a customer. Tourist draws such as the Forbidden City were closed as part of a general edict to prevent crowding in public spaces.
The scene recalled the spring of 2003, when the SARS virus outbreak confined millions to their homes. As then, many now are relying on delivery companies to bring them food and household items, deposited at the gates of their housing compounds or in specially made lockers to reduce human contact.
Those shops and restaurants that did open found few customers.
Authorities hope warmer temperatures and falling infection rates will relieve the anxiety, but there is little doubt that it will be weeks if not longer before life returns to normal.
In the meanwhile, the outbreak is expected to deliver a body blow to the Chinese economy, which was already suffering the impact of declining domestic demand and the ongoing trade war with the United States.
