After nearly two months of strict lockdown measures in response to a Covid-19 outbreak, Shanghai has begun easing restrictions. The city government has announced that up to 96 percent of the city’s residents will be allowed to move “unrestricted” from tomorrow, June 1. Public transport has slowly started to resume operations, taxis and ride hailing firms will begin to take passengers again, while private cars will be allowed back on the roads. In recent days, increasing numbers of residential compounds have begun issuing some residents with exit permits to leave their apartment complexes for limited periods.
As people began venturing outside, some for the first time in over 60 days, there is joy and relief despite many storefronts still being shuttered and streets barricaded. We captured the scenes from the slow reopening:
Up to 96 percent of Shanghai residents should be free of lockdown restrictions come June 1
Many delivery workers slept outdoors in tents over the last few weeks, to avoid being locked down in their residential compounds
With many stores still closed, curbsides have become makeshift picnic spots for reunited friends
A handful of metro lines have reopened in the last few weeks, but they remain largely empty
Long queues form outside grocery stores, with staff limiting the number of people allowed in at one time
In recent weeks, some residents have obtained exit passes from their compounds while others remained stuck inside
Friends share a meal through locked compound gates
Flowers and shrubs have thrived during the lockdown
Residents will be required to present a negative nucleic acid test within 72 hours to ride public transport
A group of friends celebrates reunion outdoors
A woman gives her dog a haircut outside
Delivery workers remain essential, with many residents still unable to enter stores in person
A volunteer hands out a voucher to a free Covid-19 test
A woman reopens her storefront after two months of closure
The Pearl Tower, an iconic building in Shanghai, remains empty and conspicuously behind gates
Photography by Nicoco Chan
Related Articles
