Chartered train in SW China carries workers back to Hangzhou

Migrant workers are readied to take a chartered train at Guiyang North Station, Guizhou province on Feb 16, 2020. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The nation's first chartered train carrying about 300 migrant workers set off from Guiyang North Station in Southwest China's Guizhou province on Sunday amid the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak, in a bid to help them return to their workplaces in a timely and safe manner, according to the local railway operator.

The train, operated by the Sichuan branch under China State Railway Group, is expected to return the migrant workers to Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, as many businesses resumed operation and are in need of the labor force, said China Railway Chengdu Group.

Since epidemic conditions remain stable in the Southwest China provinces of Sichuan and Guizhou, and the majority of migrant workers working in Hangzhou come from the two provinces, the city sought assistance via chartered train service to help return the workers.

In a bid to avoid cross-infection and curb the spread of the new virus, the company stepped up disinfection and health check efforts, as well as set up an exclusive waiting area for the migrant workers.

The workers were guided to sit at safe distance on the train, which was equipped with emergency kits for people with abnormal symptoms, including fever, it added.