The standstill over the past two months isn't something factory workers in Hubei are accustomed to. What they have missed most is the sound of humming machines.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Huanggang, home to 7.5 million people, was one of the worst-hit regions in central China's Hubei Province, the epicenter of the coronavirus. China announced a lockdown of 13 cities of the province in late January. 

Almost all non-vital industrial production came to a screeching halt in Huanggang. On March 22, the city announced that factories can resume operations – a moment that many have been waiting for.

The provincial government relaxed restrictions on outbound traffic starting March 25 with the exception of its capital city of Wuhan, which is expected to lift outbound travel restrictions on April 8.

"Our work is back to normal. This means the epidemic is fading away, allowing us to return to our normal lives safely and assuredly," said Liao Ruihao, an employee of Chenming Group branch company in Huanggang. Liao's company was supposed to operate 24-7, but then came the COVID-19.

After two months of suspension due to the virus, the paper factory is finally back to work. Its capacity is at 85 percent, which means it can produce over 700 tons of pulp boards for its customers across the country every day.

During the shutdown, the company had to purchase products from overseas to meet customer demand. Despite stagnant growth in the first quarter of the year, the company says it's confident of a turnaround.

"After we return to normal production, the factory will be operating full-steam so as to minimize losses," said Liu Junwei, deputy general manager of Chenming Group (Huanggang).

Construction projects in the city are also picking up. Over 400 workers, about half of the total, have resumed work on a private school building project.

"The entire construction site is in full operation mode. We may also need to carry on working at night while ensuring safety in order to meet the September 1 deadline," said Hu Zhonghua, project manager of Huanggang Greater China High School.

A worker from a nearby county said he had been out of work for two months, staying at home. He finally received a call from his contractor, asking him to return to work. 

"I'm totally thrilled to get back to work. With the income, I can feed the family," said She Weibing.

Daily lives are also returning to normal once again in the city of Huanggang. But until the day when citizens can walk the streets without a face mask, the fight against COVID-19 is continuing.

(Cover: Construction workers set up pipelines on a newly built school building's rooftop in Huanggang. /CGTN)