China to allow key industries resume work in Wuhan

Key industries in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed more than 4,000 lives to date, will resume work, the provincial government of Hubei province said in a notice on Wednesday.

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The notice said key sectors such as public transport, medical supply and producers of daily necessities in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, will be allowed to return to work. Other industries that impact national or global supply chains can also return to work with permission from relevant authorities, the notice said.

Passengers wear face masks wait for their trains at Changsha railway station in Changsha, China. Noel Celis/AFP

Businesses involved in providing daily necessities can resume work and production immediately, as can those that are key to "global industrial chains" after getting approval, said the Hubei provincial government.

Other companies are expected to resume production only after March 20.

Similar rules apply in areas considered high-risk in the province outside Wuhan, where companies involved in epidemic prevention, public utilities and providing necessities may resume work.

In areas considered medium or low risk, there is a broader range of companies allowed to return to work.

Passengers wear face masks wait for their train at Changsha railway station in Changsha, China. Noel Celis/AFP

Passenger flights, trains, cars, ships and city buses in middle- and low-risk areas -- moving within the province and excluding Wuhan — will "gradually resume operations" as well, without giving any timeframe.

Authorities said they will continue strict control measures on channels out of Wuhan and Hubei.

Agencies