China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has been fighting a COVID outbreak for a while now. But people in Yining City received good news on Wednesday as officials announced life and work could go back to normal. Meng Qingsheng reports.

After implementing stringent COVID-19 protocols for over three months, Yining City in northwest China's Xinjiang has finally declared victory over the epidemic.

Local authorities told the media that the city achieved the goal of zero-COVID at the community level.

QIAO XUEGANG Vice Mayor, Yining City Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region "After careful analysis, the COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters has decided that, starting 10 am on Wednesday, Yining City will resume work, business, markets and schools in an orderly manner."

Residents walked into nearby markets, with a valid health code, to replenish their food stock.

This farmers' market only allows a maximum of 150 people at a time to shop inside.

WANG ANDING Resident of Yining City Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region "Today I can buy my favorite vegetables, like broccoli and green onions. Here, they offer almost every type of fresh vegetables."

MA KAIFENG Resident of Yining City Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region "We all came out early in the morning and bought meat and vegetables. I feel great now. Life is getting back to normal."

Business owners have prepared various foods and daily necessities in advance.

DING YINTONG Resident of Yining City Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region "After receiving the notice, we got up very early this morning, and prepared all the goods for customers. My business has been good so far."

In late July, Yining City detected its first confirmed COVID-19 case. Since then, Xinjiang has seen an increasing number of cases across the region.

Currently, there're still over 1,000 "high risk" areas. Authorities in Yining have told the public that they will continue risk assessment and testing to prevent the spread of the virus.

They have also urged residents to avoid unnecessary gatherings to reduce the risk of transmission. Meng Qingsheng, CGTN.