Dancers bring Saturday night fever back to Wuhan as lockdown relaxed

1 of 12

Wearing masks and keeping about a metre apart, men and women in Wuhan were dancing once again on a Saturday night by the side of the Yangtze river, which winds through the central Chinese city where the novel coronavirus pandemic began. Image Credit: Reuters

2 of 12

Wuhan's 76-day lockdown ended on April 8, and the city is slowly getting back on its feet, hopeful that the worst is passed, but worried by the emergence last week of a few fresh cases on the virus. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 12

While most large indoor gatherings are still banned, people are reclaiming their daily lives and hobbies, which in many parts of China includes "square dancing", or mass dances, usually in the evenings in public squares, plazas or parks. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 12

On Saturday night, over a hundred masked people danced on an open-air riverside walkway in central Wuhan as loudspeakers blared out everything from electronic dance music to Japanese pop. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 12

Some waltzed in pairs. Others moved in sync to choreographed dance routines. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 12

All wore masks, and mostly kept apart. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 12

"It's quite hard to breathe when wearing this mask to dance and you can't get rid of the perspiration, but my mood is great, we can finally gather," said Zhang Jing, 42, adding that she had rejoined her dancing group at the start of May. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 12

Still, worries about the virus linger. Image Credit: Reuters

9 of 12

"I do still feel a little constrained, (dancing) doesn't feel as free with a mask, and I am a little afraid that there could be cross infection," said Fang Yuanyuan, 50. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 12

COVID-19 first struck Wuhan late last year, and it became the epicentre of China's outbreak, accounting for about 80% of the country's coronavirus cases, but the strict lockdown helped stifle new infections, allowing curbs on movement to be relaxed. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 12

Last week, however, the city reported its first cluster of new infections since the lockdown was lifted, stoking fears of a second wave, and prompting authorities to launch a campaign to test all 11 million residents for the coronavirus. Image Credit: AFP

12 of 12

Mainland China reported five new confirmed COVID-19 cases for May 16, down from eight the previous day, the National Health Commission (NHC) said in a statement on Sunday. Image Credit: Reuters

Photos News

Dancers bring Saturday night fever back to Wuhan as lockdown relaxed

More From Photos

Nepal court orders limit on Everest climbing permits

China launches first probe to collect samples from far side of Moon

Air India launches inaugural Airbus A350 service on Delhi to Dubai route

Rahul Gandhi to contest key seat in Uttar Pradesh in India polls

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Dancers bring Saturday night fever back to Wuhan as lockdown relaxed

More From Photos

Nepal court orders limit on Everest climbing permits

China launches first probe to collect samples from far side of Moon

Air India launches inaugural Airbus A350 service on Delhi to Dubai route

Rahul Gandhi to contest key seat in Uttar Pradesh in India polls

GULFNEWS SECTIONS