Wuhan in Lockdown

On January 22, 2020, the CPC Central Committee decisively demanded Hubei province implement comprehensive and strict control over personnel outflow. 

On January 23, a meeting held by the Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarter of Wuhan announced that from 10:00 a.m. on January 23, 2020, the city's urban bus, subway, ferry and long-distance passenger transportation would be suspended, the departure channels of airport and railway stations be temporarily closed, and the citizens should not leave Wuhan without special reason. 

To contain the epidemic from further spreading, Wuhan blocked public transportation between Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang on January 25. From 00:00 on January 26, all non-essential vehicles were banned in downtown Wuhan except for vehicles with permits that are used to guarantee material supply, provide free transportation, and serve public affairs.

These lockdown measures are highly necessary to effectively block the virus and curb the epidemic from spreading. But a lockdown does not mean putting Wuhan out on a limb or leaving it desperately alone. To ensure the citizens' basic life not be affected much, the Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarter of Wuhan has made prompt briefings on the city's material reserves and supplies, and reminded the public that there is no need for panic or hoarding. A 24-hour hotline was opened to receive donations from all walks of life, and solid measures have been taken to receive and deploy the donated properties. A total of 6,000 taxis have been urgently mobilized to serve communities and provide free services for those in need.

Wuhan is a key city in central China and an important transportation hub of the country. The lockdown has yielded a great impact on the city. However, in the face of the epidemic, Wuhan, Hubei and China have resolutely taken effective measures and actions, and by making great efforts and sacrifices, they have bought valuable time for the whole world to fight against the epidemic.

武漢“封城”

2020年1月22日，黨中央果斷要求湖北省對人員外流實施全面嚴格管控。1月23日，湖北省新冠肺炎疫情防控指揮部指揮長會議通告，1月23日10時起，武漢全市城市公交、地鐵、輪渡、長途客運暫停運營；無特殊原因，市民不要離開武漢，機場、火車站離漢通道暫時關閉。為遏制疫情發展，1月25日，武漢市進一步阻斷武昌、漢口、漢陽“武漢三鎮”之間的公共交通，從1月26日0時起，除經許可的保供運輸車、免費交通車、公務用車外，武漢中心城區區域實行機動車禁行管理。

這些“封城”措施，是有效阻斷疫情傳播、遏制疫情蔓延的必要之舉。但“封城”并不意味著“孤城”或“圍城”。為確保基本生活不受影響，武漢市新冠肺炎防控指揮部及時通告物資儲備和供應情況，呼吁市民不用恐慌，不必囤積；開通24小時電話接收社會各界愛心捐贈，做好物資接收調配工作；緊急征集6000臺出租車分配給各社區，為轄區居民出行提供免費服務，解決居家出行不便等問題。

武漢是中國中西部地區的中心城市，是全國重要交通樞紐。“封城”對武漢影響巨大。然而面對疫情，武漢、湖北和中國果斷采取了有力措施和行動，做出了巨大努力和犧牲，為全球疫情防控贏得了寶貴時間。