Consumption, industrial output, and other sectors of the Chinese economy have all suffered in recent months as a result of Shanghai’s lockdown and restrictions in other cities.

Shanghai reopened a portion of the world’s longest subway system on Sunday; after several lines had been halted for nearly two months; paving the stage for a more full lifting of the city’s agonising Covid-19 shutdown next week.

Commuters required compelling reasons to travel early on Sunday; with most inhabitants not allowed to leave their homes and restrictions tightening in portions of China’s most populated city. Shanghai’s public transportation has resumed in several areas, but the city remains on high Covid alert.