A city of resilience, a city of scars

One year after the coronavirus first surfaced in Wuhan, which went under a 76-day lockdown, life appears to be back to normal. But look closer and the scars left by the pandemic are visible. China correspondent Elizabeth Law reports after a third trip to the central Chinese city.

Above: A pharmacy in Wuhan where a table has been set up in front of the counter to ensure adequate social distancing. Left: A poster in the city telling people not to go out unless necessary, to have self-discipline and to wear a mask. PHOTOS: M. IS
A fruit stall in Wuhan late last month. PHOTO: M. ISHIKAWA FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Above: A pharmacy in Wuhan where a table has been set up in front of the counter to ensure adequate social distancing. Left: A poster in the city telling people not to go out unless necessary, to have self-discipline and to wear a mask. PHOTOS: M. IS
Residents of the city queueing for a Covid-19 test at the outdoor facility of the Wuhan Union Red Cross Hospital. PHOTO: M. ISHIKAWA FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Above: A pharmacy in Wuhan where a table has been set up in front of the counter to ensure adequate social distancing. Left: A poster in the city telling people not to go out unless necessary, to have self-discipline and to wear a mask. PHOTOS: M. IS
A pharmacy in Wuhan where a table has been set up in front of the counter to ensure adequate social distancing. PHOTO: M. ISHIKAWA FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Above: A pharmacy in Wuhan where a table has been set up in front of the counter to ensure adequate social distancing. Left: A poster in the city telling people not to go out unless necessary, to have self-discipline and to wear a mask. PHOTOS: M. IS
A poster in the city telling people not to go out unless necessary, to have self-discipline and to wear a mask. PHOTO: M. ISHIKAWA FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Elizabeth Law
China Correspondent
Updated
Dec 12, 2020, 06:40 AM
Published
Dec 12, 2020, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

On a rainy Sunday evening, a line of about 100 cars is at a standstill waiting to enter an upscale mall in the Guanggu district east of Wuhan.

Inside, shoppers browse the mall's offerings, joining a snaking queue for bubble tea while parents look on as their children play with an interactive art exhibit.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 12, 2020, with the headline A city of resilience, a city of scars. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top