"No one leaves": Residents of the virus center in China store masks and medicines

New Year's celebrations have been canceled for millions of citizens living in Wuhan City in the wake of attempts to fight the Corona virus, and police have hermetically blocked the exit from the virus-stricken area. About 1,400 people have been infected so far and residents are frustrated: "The system is messy, five hours to see a doctor"

"No one leaves": Residents of the virus center in China store masks and medicines

While New Year's celebrations were canceled for tens of millions of civilians living in Hubei Province, China, following attempts to fight the deadly corona virus, police forces stationed on the outskirts of Wuhan city - the source of the virus, stopped vehicles trying to leave the city and prevented those residents from entering the most important holiday. In doing so, the residents of Wuhan spent the holiday wearing masks and medical supplies or long queues in hospitals.

In the city where about 11 million people live, a curfew has been imposed, while the viral outbreak has so far infected some 1,400 people and resulted in the deaths of 41 more. Witnesses told the French news agency that as of morning, there was a queue of vehicles at police checkpoints located within a 20-mile radius of the city center, with police officers wearing glowing vests stopping traffic.

On one of the main toll roads for exiting a city, the lanes were blocked with red and yellow plastic barriers. "No one is leaving," a police official told the Associated Press, as inclement weather was felt in the area. Only two vehicles were allowed to cross the checkpoint, including a white pickup truck that he drove to "buy drugs" and later returned to the city.

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There is no coming out and no source of the outbreak. Policeman with face mask and glowing vest (Photo: AP)

Policeman with face mask in China, January 25, 2020 (Photo: AP)

Authorities have extended travel bans in the province to 18 cities, in a tremendous effort to control the spread of the SARS-like virus in a province that houses more than 56 million people. Although the restrictions were imposed on those trying to get out of Wahan, few people were allowed into the city through the checkpoint, such as civilians in desperate need of medical assistance.

Three young sisters who crossed the checkpoint on foot told the news agency that they were going to work in two hospitals. Two of them were waiting for a friend to pick them up. "We went on vacation in the town where we were born before the travel bans, but because of the epidemic we had to move back to Vahan quickly," one of them said. "They need us in the hospital, otherwise they will be exhausted," said another medical official who asked to remain anonymous.

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The means are running out. Medical worker in Wuhan wearing protective gear (Photo: Reuters)

Medical staff transfer biological waste to Wuhan Medical Center, January 22, 2020 (Photo: AP)

In the city center, the temples were closed, and the municipality announced that in addition to curbing the exit from the city itself, traffic would also be banned in the center starting tomorrow.

People waiting at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital were angry and frustrated. "It takes at least five hours to see a doctor," one resident said, "the nurses are brave but the management is really messy."

Many people brought their own chairs for waiting and many residents appeared to gather outside pharmacies to buy medical supplies. In one store, customers were queuing up at the cash register while the pharmacy-clad staff adhered to their order and took the medical equipment and drugs out. The team wore full body suits and gloves as well as two sets of face masks.

"Maintaining social stability"

Authorities intervened in the sale of preventative measures and the sale of certain products was restricted, after customers were seen snatching large quantities of face masks and full protective robes.

"I have to monitor the prices the pharmacists are taking," said the commodity manager at one of the city's pharmacies. "Goods must be received through the official channels and prices will rise."

Authorities intervened in the sale of preventative measures and the sale of certain products was restricted, after customers were seen snatching large quantities of face masks and full protective robes.

"They need us." Patient in a hospital in Wuhan (Photo: Reuters)

Patient at a hospital in Wuhan City, China, January 23, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

"I have to monitor the prices the pharmacists are taking," said the commodity manager at one of the city's pharmacies. "Goods must be received through the official channels and prices will rise." Li Xiang added that the government is making efforts to "maintain social stability and protect people's lives."

A local radio station played at the drugstore will broadcast calling on residents to wear protective masks. "Everyone is just trying to protect themselves," said a man in a surgical mask who asked to remain anonymous. "The government controls this. It's not a problem," he added.