yvrcnx

Thank you xooz, yes, that is what I was wondering more though it is interesting to hear the other information as well.
My original question was more with regards to flying and to see if airlines in China have found a way to start operating more and more flights again in a way that is deemed to be acceptable during times of the corona virus.

It looks like only time will tell at this point.

moondog

TMK, domestic schedules have only been reduced by about 40% in aggregate. While CAAC does operate in a more top down manner than its counterparts in other countries, basic economic principles still play a significant role in airline operational decisions. In other words, it's a reasonably safe bet that flights will be added back when/if demand warrants.

I'm not aware of any specific social distancing measures.

anacapamalibu

Pay for empty seats.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.for...istancing/amp/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/willhor...istancing/amp/

seanpodge

Had a domestic trip last at the end of last month. HRB-PEK return. With the disclaimer that any of this can change at any time, this was the rough experience:
- at HRB departures, the entry explosives check was also the scan QR health code and temperature check.
- face masks mandatory.
- special lane for Beijing flights at security, largely repeating the procedure when entering the airport
- at boarding, temperature once again taken.

On board, there wasn't actually much difference from before. The obvious one was everyone wearing face masks. The FAs also wore gloves. Meal service was a pre-packed box in Y, which is what I've usually got on this route anyway. Only difference was that everyone just got a bottle of water rather than a choice of soft drinks served from communal bottles in plastic cups.

There were no obvious attempts at social distancing. Many middle seats were empty, but that could just have been because the number of passengers on board allowed that anyway. I think it was about 60%-70% full in Y.

On the way back, things in PEK seemed less stringent than in HRB
- temperature checks at entry. Masks again mandatory.
- temperature taken once again at security and at boarding.
- temperature also taken at CA lounge. Buffet still operating (had a decent meal there actually), but all utensils were single use disposable rather than the proper plates and things like before.
- asked at boarding if I was transferring from an international flight (I don't look Chinese)
- a group of police on this flight meant that the load factor was pretty much 100% on this leg
- meal service same as outbound

Didn't get upgraded once.

At HRB, people had to scan/register for the local health code and then were sent to various desks depending on where they live/were staying in Harbin.
- questioned about where I had been
- scanned local QR code
- temperature taken
- mobile phone date used to verify that I hadn't been to any "high risk locations", presumably Hubei and/or overseas. (see below for more info)
- free to go home

Social distancing? No. In a way, I fully understand. If we're all meant to be keeping 1.5 - 2 meters away from each other, how on earth are you meant to achieve that on a 737 or 320? The 50 cm max that you get by leaving the middle seat empty isn't adequate. This also ignores that the two aisle passengers are also well under 1.5 - 2 meters apart. They might even be closer together than the window and aisle passengers. Like I said above, my PEK-HRB flight was pretty much 100% full.

There are health codes and temperature checks (although you probably won't make it past the front door of departures without passing those, let alone the boarding gate).

Face masks mandatory.

The systems and rules in place vary from province to province. Here in Harbin, the health code (a "mini app" that is part of WeChat) is pretty much universal for entering any public place and business. Many places will also take your temperature when entering. That said, when I was in Beijing, I didn't need to use any app at all to enter shops, use public transport, etc.

Essentially, there's no single "China" health app. To borrow a classic, "check your local guides".

By the sounds of it, you were probably using a service from one of the three mobile phone companies that uses your SIM card metadata to show where you have been for the last 14 days (city level only). Information about it is in this article.

moondog

The core of the system is national, and I've heard that both Alibaba and Tencent provide access in all cities where it is used. However, customizations were/are required in order to account for localized computer systems and data handling (e.g. police, hospitals).

MSPeconomist

What do smart phones cost in mainland China, initially and for the continuing service? What happens to those who cannot afford a smartphone?

plunet

There are very basic low cost phones, and a very healthy market in refurbished handsets - from a few 10s of £. Ongoing costs are low for low usage, single digit £ per month.

Whilst I cannot say smartphones are universal, they are very very very prevalent. Even in the small villages I have been to kids and grandparents all have a smartphone, although it might be beaten up and far from new.

Smartphones underpin their cashless systems WeChatpay and Alipay that even a streetside vendor of their own produce from their own farm or field would be expected to have now. It is possible to pay with cash but it's rapidly decreasing...

​​​​​​The government and private businesses almost expect everyone to have a China mobile number although it doesn't have to be a smartphone - many service interactions in China use SMS text messages to authenticate yourself (you need government ID to get a local SIM card) - there is a very strong principal of know your customer in China and SMS is a valid way to assert this.

Mobile phones and smartphones are very ubiquitous in China. Where you don't have one personally I would wager you have a family member who does and acts as your proxy phone.

pppfrank

The lockdown in China is very different from most of the western countries. During the darkest moment in Wuhan or Hubei, no one can get out of the "communities", there are people delivering food from the government for each family.
And I believe somehow that could only be applied to China due to how the society and government operate.

And a lot of researcher says: when the COVID-19 will end depends on when it ends in the least developed counties, or when the vaccine comes out. Long way to go.

moondog

Apart from Hubei, where else has this been the case?

percysmith

Beijing (fast forward to 35 mins of this clip)?

(Do you mean total SAH? I think just before the reporter's district was sealed in from deliveries, they were allowed between 1 and 3 trips a week out of their community)

moondog

We had a version of the exit card slip process in effect here for about 2 weeks, but it was hardly a big deal, and there were many workarounds. It was phased out when health codes grew in popularity (also not strictly enforced, for the most part).

tauphi

Indeed, I think the lock-down wasn't "hard" in any of the major cities but certain hot-spots like Wenzhou were a lot more stringent. Another fact often overlooked is that Wuhan was one of the last cities in China to enter lock-down in this fashion. While it was cordoned off very early on, people were actually free to travel around the city up until some time in February.

pppfrank

That is Hubei-only situation. In other cities, unnecessary business keeps closed during Jan and Feb. People need the certificate to get in their communities. Deliveries not allowed in communities. No travel nor gathering(strictly enforced).

Right now, people have been working for a month or two. But everyone is still wearing a mask and try to do social distancing if then can.

moondog

Since few of us visit Wuhan on a regular basis, let alone live there, their lockdown policies aren't especially relevant.

I can only speak for Shanghai because I haven't left in three months, but I haven't encountered any procedures or policies that were more than a minor inconvenience (e.g. some bars were closed for few weeks in March).

tauphi

Shanghai certainly hasn't been very tough on the lock-down front. But it's not business as usual either. For example, I had a friend drop by my house recently to pick something up for me as I'm still stuck overseas. They were stopped by the guard at the entrance until I could call the management office to let them through.