WUHAN: The Chinese Super League team from the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, Wuhan, made an emotional return to the city after more than three months torn from their families.
The Zall players endured a turbulent 104 days on the road, including being stranded in Spain, because the city was sealed off in January when the virus killed and infected thousands there.
“The local players will be reunited with their families, having not seen them for more than three months,” said Zall’s team-member. “The club is very grateful for the support and understanding of the players’ families,” he added.
The squad began training for the new Chinese Super League season, since postponed indefinitely, in early January in the southern city of Guangzhou. They flew to Malaga, Spain towards the end of January, by which time the city of Wuhan and its 11 million people were under harsh restrictions because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Wuhan had been sealed off since the virus outbreak spread. The first case of coronavirus was originated in the Chinese city on 31st December 2019. Since then, it has spread to almost every country in the world, disrupting daily life for millions under lockdown measures meant to contain the virus’s rapid spread.
The Chinese government admitted errors in tallying the death toll in Wuhan and raised the grim count there by 50 percent. China revised its toll up by 1,290 to 3,869, admitting people died at home and cases were missed as hospitals struggled to cope in the early days of the outbreak.
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