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Over the weekend, thousands of people flocked into China’s public spaces and parks for an attempt at normalcy during a deadly coronavirus pandemic that’s far from over. As major cities across the country lifted their quarantine restrictions, people crowded into parks to enjoy the springtime weather — and in Wuhan, where the novel coronavirus was first reported only months earlier, the city’s government-enforced lockdown was lifted on Wednesday. Despite this optimism, new in COVID-19 cases in South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore present a warning that a new wave of infections may be on the rise in the region.
The weekend also marked the Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, in which relatives of the deceased pay their respects to their lost loved ones. In an effort to stop people from gathering, the Chinese government issued a statement recommending people maintain social distancing and avoid others. Still, these pictures show how thousands of Chinese people disregarded the warnings.
Members of the medical rescue team from Fujian, China, are welcomed home by their colleagues and families on April 6.
Masked tourists pack into the West Lake park in Hangzhou, China, April 5.
People wearing face masks queue to board a bus during rush hour in Beijing, April 7.
People gather in a shopping area in Beijing, April 6.
People play on a basketball court in Shanghai, April 6. Shanghai reopened most outdoor public facilities by the end of March.
People wear protective masks as they walk while enjoying the spring weather in Beijing, April 5. In Beijing, it is mandatory to wear masks outdoors, some retail stores still operate on reduced hours, restaurants employ social distancing among patrons, and tourist attractions at risk of drawing large crowds remain closed or allow only limited access.
Tourists row in the “water forest” of Wetland Park in Yangzhou City, China, April 5.
Tourists ride bicycles at the ecological park in Shanghai, April 4.
A barber wearing a hazmat suit and a face mask cuts customers’ hair in Wuhan, April 7.
People wearing protective face masks ride bicycles on a street in Beijing, April 7.
People crowd an escalator inside a subway station during the morning rush hour in Beijing, April 7.
A young boy wears a protective mask while riding a bike in Shanghai, April 6.
People gather in a city park in Shanghai, April 6.
People wearing protective face masks ride bicycles on a street in Beijing, April 7.
Children play at a city park in Shanghai, April 6.
People line up to check their temperatures in Beijing, April 5.
People walk in the Sanlitun area of Beijing, April 5.
People dance at a park in Shenyang, China, April 7.
People crowd a subway station in Beijing, April 7.
Tourists observe springtime blooms in Huai’an City, China, April 6.
People pose for a picture among spring flowers in Hohhot, China, April 6.
Gabriel H. Sanchez is the Senior Photo Essay Editor for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York City.
Contact Gabriel H. Sanchez at [email protected].
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