More businesses reopen in China, but many people stay home

By JOE McDONALD Associated Press

More  offices, and stores in Beijing and other parts of China are reopening after the Lunar New Year break was extended to discourage travel and contain the new coronavirus, but many workers and shoppers appear to be staying home.

Public health authorities are watching closely to see whether the return to business worsens the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 40,000 people globally and killed over 900, with the vast majority of cases in China.