VI
EN
Even today, the first day back to work, many companies remain closed while employees are allowed to work from home. Beijing's busiest subway lines are almost empty today. The few passengers commuting during the morning rush hour are all wearing masks. Schools remain closed until further notice.
Foxconn wants its iPhone production lines to resume operations on February 10th, but the Chinese authorities have not approved it.
The technology company Tencent also announced that it will continue to require employees to work from home until February 21st.
In Shanghai, authorities are taking a flexible approach to resuming business activities today. Shanghai is also encouraging companies to implement flexible working hours for employees and, if possible, allow them to work from home. Companies that have resumed operations must ensure workplaces have proper ventilation and avoid using air conditioning systems as they can facilitate the spread of the coronavirus.
People wear face masks on the streets of Shanghai.
The Shenzhen government, where more than 65% of the population (approximately 8.2 million people) are migrant workers, is also encouraging businesses to take a flexible approach. Several large businesses in the city have announced they will not resume production today. Shenzhen had previously announced a series of measures to support local businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including tax cuts and subsidized loans.
In Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, officials are trying to address the need for companies to continue operating while also seeking to allay local concerns that returning migrant workers might bring the coronavirus with them.
People in Wuhan wear face masks while shopping for groceries at the supermarket.
The novel coronavirus (nCoV) pneumonia outbreak originated in Wuhan in early December 2019. The disease has spread to 31 provinces and municipalities in mainland China, as well as 26 countries and territories, with the number of infected cases exceeding 40,000. The daily death toll continues to break records, with 91 cases reported on February 9th, according to the National Health Commission of China, bringing the total number of deaths from the coronavirus to 904, far surpassing the 774 deaths from SARS.
