City officials have worked to make an event of the city's reopening, with a light show, social media campaigns led by media outlets and special events to mark the reopening of the airport and train stations. Skyscrapers in the city center were lit up with messages like "Hello, Wuhan" and "Stay Strong, Wuhan".

Netizens expressed their joy on social media platforms. "'Wuhan lockdown lifted.' Seeing these words almost makes me shed tears," a netizen wrote on Weibo. "After so much struggle, Wuhan has come back."

Public transport including buses, subways and ferries also resumed, further proof the city is reawakening from a standstill. On Jan 23, Wuhan declared unprecedented restrictions in movement, including suspending the city's public transportation and all outbound flights and trains, in an attempt to contain the disease.

As the risk of infection remains, authorities ask residents to limit their outings and not to attend large gatherings. Many residential compounds remain closed off with strict epidemic prevention and control measures.

A statement released by local authorities on Tuesday warned that zero cases of infection does not mean zero risks, and lifting travel restrictions does not mean lifting prevention and control measures.

Wang Ying in Shanghai contributed to this story.