Wuhan is on a slow path back to normal after 76 days confined by coronavirus

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CNN returns to Wuhan: this found 1:10

Wuhan, China (CNN) - The world's first city to go into confinement due to the coronavirus is slowly returning to something that could be described as normal, after months of fear and anxiety.

But the scars from the viral outbreak that closed the Chinese city of Wuhan for 76 days, and much of the surrounding Hubei province, lie just below the surface. Many citizens are concerned about a second outbreak and companies are still struggling to come back to life.

The first known cases of the virus were detected in Wuhan in mid-December. In the following weeks, the number of cases increased, and from January 23 to April 8, residents were unable to leave the city as the Chinese government tried to contain the outbreak.

But despite attempts to stop the spread of the virus, more than 2.6 million people have now been infected worldwide.

However, in Wuhan, the outbreak now appears to be largely under control, with no new cases or deaths reported in Hubei province, according to the latest figures released on Wednesday.

Streets that were cordoned off just a few weeks ago and had police checkpoints are now open to traffic, while some public spaces like the Wuhan Zoo are preparing to allow people to re-enter.

But that doesn't mean that people are letting their guard down or that all restrictions have been removed. As they walk down the street, almost everyone continues to practice social distancing, keeping at least 1.5 meters away.

Many stores, including major chains like Starbucks, have moved their products and services to the curb to avoid the need for customers to congregate inside.

Xu, the owner of a local business whose grocery store is located across from a Wuhan convention center, said there had been very few customers since it reopened in April. "The situation now is not very optimistic. Even after the reopening of the companies, there are not many people. I'm a little worried about this, "he said.

"I don't know when (my business) can recover."

Slow recovery

To date, 68,128 cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, claiming the lives of 4,512 people.

Wuhan is an expanding metropolis and one of the largest industrial and transportation hubs in China, located on the banks of the Yangtze River. For a long time it has been considered the economic engine of the heart of the center of the country.

The January 23 decision to effectively seal the city, closing all transportation links, was unprecedented. Gradually, the restrictions were tightened, and eventually banned citizens from making nonessential trips outside their apartments.

Checkpoints were established throughout the city to prevent people from leaving their homes, apart from short trips for medicines and groceries.

Some of these conditions are now familiar to millions of people around the world who have been asked or ordered to stay home to help stop the spread of covid-19.

But just as the Wuhan blockade predicted the way for hundreds of cities around the world, its reopening also offers a window into the difficult road ahead.

In the first quarter of the year alone, Hubei's economy contracted nearly 40%, according to the state news agency Xinhua.

Some stores are now open, and people are returning to public places, with masked Wuhan residents heading to city parks for walks, badminton, and even haircuts with outdoor barbers.

But there is nothing of the hustle that once characterized Wuhan.

For every open window, there is another closed. More than two weeks after the close ended, restaurants can still only sell takeout food, while gyms remain closed.

On the streets, some citizens continue to go out in full protective gear, including plastic suits for dangerous environments. When serving customers, some store owners not only wear face masks but also gloves.

Upon checking in at their hotel, the CNN team was required to tell their travel history and take their temperature, before hotel workers sprayed them with disinfectant. In the elevator a handkerchief was provided to press the button.

LOOK: The death toll from coronavirus in Wuhan grows 50% after review

A local driver told CNN that his private car rental business has slowly recovered since restrictions on leaving the city eased on April 8.

"I've only had two passengers in two weeks," he said, asking that we not use his name due to growing concern about the repercussions when speaking to foreign media.

Before the outbreak, he said he was driving at least a dozen passengers a day, including many foreign diplomatic officials. But as the outbreak worsens, most countries have closed their consulates in Wuhan and evacuated their staff. None have yet returned.

"After the closure, I spent so much time enjoying nature and the great outdoors with my family," said the driver, indicating a large hiking backpack sitting in his trunk. “We avoid crowds at local parks. Instead, we move further away. ”

Wuhan