China to lift travel ban on Wuhan, where coronavirus started

The city of Wuhan in Hubei province China – the original epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak – has been locked down since January 23. Now government officials are saying travel restrictions will be lifted in two weeks.

In recent days, China has reported a deescalating number of new coronavirus cases. Most new diagnoses are being attributed to individuals returning from abroad with the illness.

The novel virus has killed more than 2,500 people in Wuhan since late December, accounting for about 80% of China’s total reported number of deaths.

Wuhan and Beijing remain categorized as level-one response cities – the most severe designation afforded by the Chinese government. Shanghai, however, announced that beginning Tuesday it will be lowered to a level two emergency response city.