COVID-19 Diaries: Why I Left Shenzhen, China, and How

Paul is a mature student from the United Kingdom who had been living in China for 2 years because he and his family “fancied a break from western life and culture”. He left Shenzhen shortly after the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 to be a global emergency though and is presently residing in an AirBnB in Penang next to trees and nice restaurants. We had a chat with him about his decision to leave and found out getting out of China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak wasn’t as difficult as we’d expected.

Q: Hi Paul, thanks for connecting with us all the way from Malaysia! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then?

A: I remember seeing something about a virus around the beginning of January but at the time didn’t think anything of it. Just another news article.

When did you start getting more worried about COVID-19? What made you worry?

At first it just seemed like Shenzhen was becoming a ghost town, much like it does every year during CNY. I monitored the number of infected in Shenzhen and Hong Kong and it didn’t seem too bad, so I didn’t worry. Then the British government announced that all British nationals should leave China if they can. At that point we worried more about what was happening socially than with the virus.

When did you decide to leave Shenzhen altogether? How bad was the situation in Shenzhen at that point and what pushed you to make that decision?

The morning of February 5th I spoke to some friends also living in Shenzhen and they said they were thinking of joining friends in Cambodia. Hong Kong had just closed the two main MTR crossings at Lo Wu and Futian Checkpoint so the only option I knew of was to cross into Hong Kong via the road bridge at Shekou. The driving factor to leave was the narrowing routes out of the country and the uncertainty of social restrictions.

Just to get some perspective, how many confirmed cases of the virus were there in Shenzhen at the point you decided to leave and how many confirmed cases are there in Shenzhen now?

Confirmed cases were low and I think it’s still low now compared to other places in China. From what I’d read, the virus didn’t really concern me as I consider myself to be healthy and quite fastidious when it comes to maintaining general hygiene.

What restrictions were in place when you left Shenzhen and what restrictions are there in Shenzhen now?

When I left the only restrictions were to wear a face mask in public and get temperature checks upon entering any buildings. Now as far as I am aware, the apartment where I live has imposed restrictions on movement in and out of the building. Only 1 person per household is allowed out every 2 days, and then for only an hour and a half at a time.

How difficult was it to just gather your things and go at short notice? What did you take with you and what did you leave behind?

It took roughly 2 hours to gather 3 small and 1 large suitcase between my family of 3. Cambodia is super-hot so packing light was easy. We had to take 3 laptops for our work and studies. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a beach holiday as we still needed to work and study remotely. The rest was a few toiletries, chargers, hand sanitisers and masks for the flight.

What about work and rent and all other matters that might tie a person down to their city of residence. How did you leave those behind?

I am a mature student with a British university so working remotely is what I do anyway. My wife is a teacher, she still teaches but remotely as the schools are closed. My daughter studies remotely as her school is closed too. Rent and bills are paid via online banking so no changes there.

How did you get out of Shenzhen and where did you go? Did you face any problems leaving China or entering other countries because of your travel history to China?

I left China via the Shekou to Hong Kong bridge in Shenzhen. The border was busy and full of hawkers selling tickets to Hong Kong via various means. I decided to buy the official tickets and stick to the details I’d read online before coming. This was the first time I’d used this border as the usual ones were closed. Upon arrival at customs, it was the usual head scan then I had to fill out a form asking if I’d been to Wuhan or had any ill symptoms. Leaving China was easy and done via the usual E-Channel method. A short 10 metre walk and we are greeted with Hong Kong customs, another health declaration form and head scan. No questions upon entry then on to the bus to West Kowloon and Elements mall. We spent the night at my sister in-law’s apartment in Wan Chai then took an Uber to the airport where we flew to Siem Reap in Cambodia.

What have you been doing since leaving China? Did you have to be quarantined in any other country because of having been in China?

We decided to spend 2 weeks in Siem Reap as that seems to be the usual quarantine period most countries apply when travelling. This was our own decision though and not forced upon us by anyone. In Siem Reap it was work as usual, my wife the teacher, myself and daughter the students. For me it was easier as I’m used to working remotely but my daughter has struggled to adjust. At the weekend, we visited some old temples such as Angor Wat. We’ve now moved on to Malaysia and since we’d been away from China for 2 weeks there were no concerns about traveling anymore. Life is a little less dusty here and the broadband is much faster so easier to work.

The virus has been spreading around Asia though. Do you think there is a chance it will catch up with you once again? What will you do if that happens?

I saw that in Korea cases are rising but as before, it doesn’t worry me too much. I monitor the news and if things start to kick off here, we’ll just leave. All our flights have been half full and cheap so getting out is not a concern.

Do you personally know anyone who’s been infected with COVID-19?

No.

What have you learned from this novel coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

I’ve learnt that its far cheaper than I thought to travel around south east Asia! Our family is close, and we get on well. I’m not sure how others are coping but we are doing fine.

Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

My wife, daughter and passport! Material stuff: phone, laptop and hand sanitiser!

Lastly, when do you foresee yourself returning to China, and what will you do if the situation in Shenzhen simply refuses to get any better?

We’re monitoring the situation and right now it’s looking like we’ll return mid-March when the schools reopen.

Paul is presently working on finishing up the last year of his university studies. You can find out whether or not he returns to China by checking out his website, 6000milestochina.com or ask him for updates using the comment box below.

Tomorrow, we’ll hop on over to Japan to find out what the coronavirus situation is presently like over there. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Paul. Interviewer: Sy
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