As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, the measures taken in China could be instructive for other countries currently trying to fight the virus. Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, located more than 1,500 km from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus (COVID-19), has implemented numerous control and prevention measures since the outbreak began. Hangzhou, an hour's train ride from Shanghai, is home to several of China's largest companies. How did the virus affect the life of this prosperous city?
The situation in the city: what is happening there
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, reacted quickly to the coronavirus outbreak before any confirmed cases appeared in the city. The city has used information technology such as QR codes to track and stop the spread of the coronavirus. Careful planning and clear communication has reduced the impact of COVID-19 compared to Wuhan.
China ensures constant and clear communication with the public. For example, in Hangzhou, the main news feed provides daily updates on the number of COVID-19 cases and clinical outcomes, plans to be implemented, and guidelines and procedures to be followed.
Hangzhou banned the sale of medicines for colds, coughs and fevers in pharmacies. To prevent the spread of coronavirus in Hangzhou. The point is that anyone who feels unwell, has symptoms of a cold or flu, see a doctor, and not treat themselves at home, trying to drown out the symptoms by infecting others.
The number of infected, dead and recovered
The Chinese metropolis of Hangzhou in eastern Zhejiang province has been under lockdown since February 4, 2020, in an effort to curb the spread of the deadly new coronavirus. And the people of Hangzhou succeeded.
For now:
- Coronavirus cases in Hangzhou: 1236
- Deceased: 1
- Recovered: 1219
- Patients: 16
Now European countries are asking for help from China to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Are factories and plants open
Since the beginning of February, the work of factories and plants has been suspended in the city, movement along the streets has been limited. You can't leave the house without a mask. Hangzhou is called China's "Silicon Valley": here are the world's major technology companies. The Russian company Dodo Pizza opened a pizzeria in the city with payment via WeChat, which allows you to do without cash desks and pay for your order via messenger. At the end of January, the pizzeria suspended work, and its team returned home. The pizzeria reopened on February 23rd. Most of the work is done remotely.
A large Russian toothpaste company SPLAT has an office in Hangzhou, but the main production is in Russia. During the epidemic, the delivery of goods became a problem. Rail links to China are closed, air travel is expensive due to reduced flights, and sea shipping is long. At the moment, employees of the SPLAT sales office have already begun working remotely.
Impact on the economy
China is reopening its economy, reopening schools and returning to normal. As the source country of the epidemic with more than 80,000 cases, China has felt its economy hit the hardest by the outbreak. The recently concluded trade deal with Washington does not help in this situation either.
The Honda factory has returned to work. Nissan and Toyota have also resumed operations in China. While the pandemic is growing in the world, infections in China are declining. Apple has reopened all of its Chinese stores, but they are closed outside of China until March 27. Most of the major Chinese firms have reopened, and many locals have returned to work. Small enterprises suffered, and they account for 90% of the total. They are the backbone of China's economy.
Hangzhou has a very strong online business. Thousands of small online retail businesses are concentrated in the city, thanks to the local government's policy of encouraging people to start their own businesses. With the whole world shifting to online work wherever possible, Hangzhou is in a winning position.
Major Internet companies in Hangzhou:
- Alibaba Group is China's largest e-commerce service provider
- information network HithinkRoyalFlush is one of the leading providers of financial information
- Mogujie is a social trading platform focused on women's fashion.
- We Doctor Group is an Internet provider of medical services
- Beibei.com is an online flash store specializing in maternal and child products.
To date, not a single case of “local infection” has been registered in China, all cases of the disease were brought from abroad. The main lesson that the world community should learn from the situation in China is to learn the readiness to prevent and control outbreaks of infectious diseases.