More than 16,000 travelers, seeking to leave Shanghai through Hongqiao Railway Station, have been temporarily accommodated – usually overnight – in shelters provided by the government since mid-April, local media shobserver.com reported on Wednesday.

Due to surging travel demand and low availability of train tickets, especially at the beginning of May, a large number of people have been forced to spend the night in the open around the major train terminal in Shanghai.

With the aim of not only helping such people get some good rest but also as part of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures, Xinhong Subdistrict government in Minhang District, where the train station is located, and the district police, have streamlined the services provided for the travelers.