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The Foreign Policy China Brief (February 19) says the central government in Beijing is pushing for reopening businesses, but there is conflict emerging at the local level. Local officials don’t want to be made scapegoats if there is an outbreak in their domain, and their fear outweighs the economic damage of the virus. However, reports from Zhejiang and Guangdong mention lockdowns being lifted, with a monitored surveillance system that allows people to leave the house in areas previously under heavy restrictions. Most of Hubei remains under lockdown, with residents unable to leave their homes without special permission. Travel restrictions of varying severity have been imposed across China, from monitored movement to total quarantine. The restaurant business has been devastated by the coronavirus outbreak. The loss of Lunar New Year business and the closure of public spaces has devastated the already fragile industry. In Beijing, which is not fully locked down, only 13 percent of restaurants have stayed open throughout the outbreak.
ii) China's National Development and Reform Commission said on February 19, that more than half of major industrial enterprises in manufacturing hubs including Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shanghai have resumed operations.
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