HEFEI — East China's Anhui province on March 18 lifted the closed-off management on residential communities as the coronavirus spread has been basically curbed.

Low-risk personnel with normal body temperature will be allowed free access to communities and villages, according to the provincial headquarters of epidemic prevention and control.

Government agencies, enterprises and public institutions are required to step up efforts in the health management of staff, reduce gatherings and control the scale, duration and density of meetings.

Public places including farmers' markets, shopping malls, supermarkets and hotels are encouraged to start operation with effective prevention and control measures. People who have access to these places should wear masks, have their body temperature taken and health codes checked.

Anhui lowered its response to the major public health emergency from level 2 to level 3 on March 15.