XI'AN FREED FROM LOCKDOWN

Life in city of almost 13 million slowly returns to normal after 30-day freeze

Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, reopened this week after the 30-day lockdown imposed following an outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 last year.

The first locally transmitted infections were detected in the city of 12.9 million on Dec 9, and all communities were sealed off on Dec 23 to curb its spread.

Local authorities said on Monday that all areas of the city were now deemed low risk and that people could resume normal activities and work.