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Reuters

Business

Muyu Xu and Carlos Garcia

Coronavirus turns busy Chinese cities into ghost towns

A police officer wears a mask as he walks in front of the Oriental Pearl Tower, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, in Lujiazui financial district in Pudong, Shanghai, China, February 5, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song

After making sure everyone's face mask is on and sanitizer is to hand, the Qiao family heads out to Jingshan Park, a former royal sanctuary beside the Forbidden City in China's capital Beijing.

Snow has fallen for a second day, a rare event in the city of 21.5 million that would normally bring hundreds of thousands of people out to take photos and play. But the streets are empty and the parks are so quiet the only sound is of birds chirping.

A woman wearing a face mask takes selfies after snowfall outside the Forbidden City, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 6, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins SEARCH "CHINA GHOST" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

It's not just Beijing. Shanghai, China's financial hub, and other cities in the world's most populous nation have turned into ghost towns after the government extended a holiday and asked residents not to go out because of the coronavirus.

"We know the situation of the coronavirus is severe. But the epicenter is far away, so we think it should be fine here ... It's a God-given chance to enjoy this family moment with snow and without work," said Mr Qiao, who has an 11-year-old daughter.

The epidemic has killed 722 people and infected nearly 32,000 in China as of Feb 8. More than three-quarters of the cases are in the central Hubei province where the virus originated - more than 1,000 km (620 miles) from Beijing.

A worker wears a face mask and carries cleaning material as she uses the escalator at a shopping mall, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 5, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Only a few people are brave enough to come out. A security guard at Jingshan Park said there were less than a third of the number of tourists than usual, even with the rare snowfall.

Even at one of the best spots for snapping photos of snowy Beijing just outside the Forbidden City, there's barely a crowd, while the usual tour buses and groups of people speaking different dialects are nowhere to be seen.

"Last year when it snowed, I took a few hours off work to come down here to take a picture and the crowd was several layers deep," said a man in his 30s who gave his surname as Yang. "But this year, I am not at all worried about finding a space to take a photo. The virus is keeping people indoors."

Mr. Qiao wears a face mask and speaks to his family while they take pictures at Jingshan Park, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 6, 2020. "We know the situation of the coronavirus is severe. But the epicentre is far away, so we think it should be fine here ... It's a God-given chance to enjoy this family moment with snow and without work," said Mr Qiao. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Security guards along Wangfujing street, a popular pedestrianised shopping area in downtown Beijing, said it was normally so crowded during the holiday period that it was hard to move around.

"Look at it now, there are more security guards and street cleaners than tourists!" said one of the guards.

Businesses, including shops, bars and restaurants, have been severely hit by the epidemic as the government has banned mass gatherings and even group meals in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Ms. Ren wears a face mask while she works out at Tiantan park, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 7, 2020. "There was around 100-200 people who exercise here, now only about 20% shows up," Ms. Ren said. "I feel pretty safe. The air is clear and people are having protective measures." "When I go back home, I disinfect my shoes and take off my coat". REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

"You would have to wait outside for a table on a normal day," said a waitress at a restaurant with more than 50 tables. Just five were taken at the peak lunch hour.

Only a handful of the more than 100 restaurants along Beijing's famous food street, Guijie, were open, and the remaining outlets were wondering how long they can hold out.