Public anger over bridge policing

China lifted restrictions this week preventing people from leaving Hubei, where the outbreak began.

But elsewhere there is some doubt over claims that the outbreak has been controlled.

The footage, which appeared online on Friday, claimed to show police from Jiangxi province blocking the bridge to prevent people crossing.

Crowds are seen charging at the blockade and attacking police vehicles.

The Sunday Telegraph has not been able to independently verify the footage, but reports quoting eye witnesses said that protests had taken place.

A lack of transparency has raised mistrust of officialdom, with photos of scores of urns lined up in Wuhan seeming to contradict the official death toll. to peer back at visitors staring in awe. “Spring has never been more beautiful,” said Wang Dandan, 36, out for the day with her family. “Things are much better than before. I’m the nervous type … but now the numbers are going down, and public perception of the situation is improving.”

Her daughter, six, rode a bright orange scooter around in circles, while her two-month-old infant – born on Jan 23, the same day China announced its first virus lockdown measures – slept quietly in the stroller.

“We have been to the supermarket, but today is the first time we left our housing compound,” said Ms Wang from behind a face mask. “We feel so happy – we’ve been home for so long.”

However, experts worry that China could experience a second wave of infections if the government relaxes curbs too quickly. Travellers from abroad add to that risk. In response, the government has cancelled flights and closed its border to foreigners.

Although more people are beginning to venture outdoors, it is impossible to escape coronavirus reminders. Getting in and out of buildings and public areas still requires registering personal details and submitting to temperature checks. Housing and office compounds continue to restrict non-residents or outside personnel.

At Beijing Zoo, Ms Wang said: “I have come [here] every year. I hardly ever see so few people… usually there are so many people that you only see them, and not the animals.”