Ningbo to reopen urban public transportation soon

Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, will reopen public transportation in its urban areas on Feb 11, according to an announcement at a government press conference.

More buses will be introduced in the center of the city, said Gao Yunzhen, deputy head of the Ningbo municipal bureau of transport.

The city will increase the number of buses on busy routes to lower the chances of passengers getting infected while using public transportation.

Cross-district bus lines connecting the city center with Zhenhai and Beilun will be reopened as well, according to Gao, adding that the exact time the bus lines will be reopened hasn’t been decided yet.

The government will also increase the emergency capacity of taxis and ride-hailing vehicles.

In addition, Ningbo will make efforts to ensure an abundant supply of daily necessities, including vegetables and frozen pork, for local enterprises and residents.

Enterprises that have resumed production will be encouraged to partner with the city's catering enterprises to promote "contactless" dining and decrease the risk of infection, according to Hua Bitian, deputy head of the Ningbo municipal bureau of commerce.

By Feb 15, local catering enterprises are expected to be able to serve 500,000 takeaway meals per day, including 130,000 in main urban areas.

Ningbo had reported 149 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia as of midnight on Feb 9, including nine in critical condition, the local health commission said.

A total of 15 people with the virus have been successfully treated and discharged from the hospital, while 1,273 people who have had close contact with patients are still under medical observation, according to the commission.

Since the onset of the epidemic, Ningbo has been prioritizing the treatment of patients infected with NCP, and a panel composed of 163 medical experts specializing in infections, respiratory illnesses, ICU, imaging, inspection, and traditional Chinese medicine has been established in the city to provide treatment for patients.