Visitors homeward bound as Shanghai bounces back

Migrant workers and others who were caught in the COVID-19 net look to the future as the city reopens for business. Cao Yin reports from Shanghai.

After about 60 days of doing nothing in Shanghai as a result of a resurgence of the COVID-19 epidemic, Hao Guangping returned to her hometown in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, at the end of last month, carrying a large suitcase and two handbags.

Before the latest wave of cases in the city, the migrant worker undertook housekeeping duties, helping her clients clean rooms, make meals and look after elderly family members.

The 42-year-old said she was satisfied with the work because she could earn about 9,000 yuan ($1,350) a month if she served several clients, which was far more than she could make working similar jobs in Xuzhou.

However, after Shanghai took control measures to deal with the resurgence of the epidemic in late March, her life changed completely.

Instead of shuttling around the city to provide her services, she stayed in her rented apartment in Hongkou district, where she cooked, washed clothing and played with her mobile phone.

"I began to miss my family just a few days after the lockdown started. I didn't have those feelings when I was busy. Doing nothing made me very homesick," said Hao, who had not returned to Xuzhou since arriving in Shanghai two years ago.

"I also became very anxious after the lockdown became unexpectedly lengthy because it meant I had no income. However, I still had to pay more than 3,000 yuan in rent each month. So, I planned to leave the city in April."

However, leaving proved so difficult that she did not manage to get away when she wanted.