Thousands cram into huge Wuhan pool party at coronavirus 'ground zero'

Updated

Thousands of people were packed together at a huge pool party in Wuhan, where scientists believe coronavirus first spread to humans, at the weekend.

The Chinese city hosted a massive official and organised party at its Maya Beach Water Park on Saturday.

Images from the event show thousands of people without face masks crammed together in an enormous swimming pool.

Wuhan went into the world’s first COVID-19 lockdown on 23 January, before it was lifted three months later.

TOPSHOT - This photo taken on August 15, 2020 shows people watching a performance as they cool off in a swimming pool in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
Thousands of people in paddle boats at a massive pool party in Wuhan, China, on Saturday. (AFP via Getty Images)

There have been no locally transmitted cases in Wuhan or Hubei province since May.

In Hubei, venues are only allowed to operate on 50% of their capacity.

Tourist attractions in the area must carry out mandatory temperature screenings of visitors.

Thousands of people attended the HOHA Water Electrical Music Festival in Wuhan at the weekend, with women allowed to pay half-price for admission.

The festival included performances by DJs and a pyrotechnics show.

Its owners reopened the park on 25 June but visitor numbers only increased significantly this month.

The water park currently has about 15,000 visitors at the weekend, about half its usual numbers.

This photo taken on August 15, 2020 shows people watching a performance as they cool off in a swimming pool in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
A performer salutes the crowd of thousands at a pool party in Wuhan, China, on Saturday. (AFP via Getty Images)
This photo taken on August 15, 2020 shows people watching a performance as they cool off in a swimming pool in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
People watching a performance at a pool party in Wuhan, China, on Saturday. (AFP via Getty Images)

While the images of revellers packed together in pools may have alarmed some on social media, Wuhan has tested 10 million of its 11 million population for coronavirus.

According to Johns Hopkins University, there have been more than 89,400 cases of coronavirus in China and 4,703 deaths.

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