A ferry makes its first trip in 2020 on the Harbin section of the Songhua River on July 4. [Photo/dbw.cn]

Ferryboats on the Harbin section of Songhua River started operations at 8:58 am on July 4 – 86 days later than the usual scheduled restart after winter due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic in the capital of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang province, local officials said.

A total of 12 ferries operated by Harbin Ferry Company, Harbin Shunhang Company and Sun Island Passenger Transport Company started operating to serve six water routes.

The ferries connect Harbin Flood Control Memorial Tower Square to Sun Island, Daowai Qidao Street to Sun Island, Daowai Qidao Street to Songbei Boat Factory and Daoli Jiuzhan Park to Sun Island – covering the main passenger flow areas along the Songhua River.

Officials said that in a new coronavirus control measure, the six routes will have a maximum daily passenger flow of 10,000 and the run to Sun Island is limited to 9,000 people per day.