Shanghai begins return to normal life and production

Life returned to the streets of Shanghai on Wednesday as the city lifted most epidemic control measures in low-risk communities and allowed many businesses to resume operations.

People were evidently eager to get out onto the streets after a lockdown that spanned over two months, as many could be seen strolling at the city's landmarks, including the Bund and the Pudong riverside, in the early morning.

The sounding of the famous bell tower at the Bund at midnight was joined by the sounds of car horns as drivers celebrated the new beginning.

Even before the new day started, police officers had removed isolation barriers between districts and all tunnels and bridges linking the two sides of the Huangpu River were opened.

The city's public transportation system, including bus, metro and ferry services, has resumed full operations as well.

The head of the People's Square metro station told local media outlet ThePaper that the passenger volume during rush hour on Wednesday is expected to be 30 percent that of an average working day.

The city registered 15 new infections, all found in quarantined populations, on Tuesday. The number of daily infections has been in the two-digits for three consecutive days.