Wu Xuwei prepares breakfasts for epidemic prevention volunteers in Zhenhai district in Ningbo on Dec 21. [Photo/VCG]

During the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Zhenhai district in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, Wu Xuwei, owner of a baozi (steamed stuffed bun) shop, provided more than 600 free breakfasts for epidemic prevention volunteers.

As part of its epidemic prevention and control measures, the city upgraded its COVID-19 emergency response to the highest level. As a result, Zhenhai closed its borders from Dec 7 to 9, during which businesses in the district closed and many volunteers contributed to the epidemic prevention and control efforts.

"On Dec 12, I found that many volunteers who had stayed up all night didn't have warm breakfasts. That's why I decided to provide free baozi for them," said Wu, who has been running a baozi shop in Zhenhai's Xiepu town for seven years. 

The free breakfasts included two baozi and a cup of soybean milk. Wu and his wife got up at 2 am to make baozi. All of these breakfast meals were packaged and sent to 100 volunteers who were working on the streets at 7 am.

"It's also a way to show my respect and gratitude for those who participated in the epidemic prevention work during the COVID-19 outbreak in Hubei province, which is my hometown, in early 2020," he added.