Improved service

On completion of procedures at the airport, travelers are taken to designated venues－currently one in each district－to undergo nucleic acid testing.

Ji Guanzhong, a worker at the testing venue in Changning district, said it is located in a park, as open-air venues are preferred to keep travelers and workers safe. The park is yet to open

On arrival at the venue, travelers place their luggage in a storeroom before being escorted to a large tent to be tested. They rest in a spacious room while awaiting the results. During the day, many prefer to sit outdoors on the lawn or on benches.

Since Sunday, all elderly arrivals, pregnant passengers and those with babies have been escorted to quarantine hotels while they await test results. Previously, such arrivals were taken to separate rooms at the testing venue to rest, while all the others relaxed in a large room.

Ji said all travelers are provided with a simple meal, biscuits and bottled water while they rest. They can obtain more supplies on request.

Front-line workers have noticed a rising number of inbound travelers, both Chinese and expatriates, are arriving with their families. "In contrast to travelers who arrived on their own early this month, more are now landing with spouses, partners and children," Ji said.

A woman, surnamed Gao, and her husband, who works in the finance industry in London, were waiting for results at a testing venue after returning to Shanghai.

"We were lucky to buy tickets for a direct flight for 10,000 yuan ($1,400) two weeks ago. There is now a scramble for tickets costing as much as 45,000 yuan," Gao, 30, said.

She added that the couple's purchases of daily necessities in London, including food, had been affected by the outbreak. "Vegetables and meat in supermarkets often sold out and it took 10 days for online deliveries to arrive."

The couple is also concerned that most people in London are still not wearing face masks. "I tried very hard to buy masks, but could not find them in stores," Gao said.