Ballet performers dance around the outbreak in masks

Shanghai Ballet dancers have resumed training for over a week, even though many of their performances have been canceled or postponed.

"Ballet dancers need intensive daily training," director Xin Lili says.

"They can only practice specific parts at home. The perfect practice session requires a proper rehearsal room, where they can execute each movement as precisely as textbook illustrations."

Xin says that she used to tell the dancers: "One day without practice, and you will notice the difference; two days without practice, and your coach will notice; three days without practice, and everyone in the audience will notice."

Some of the dancers were returning to training following their 14-day quarantine as they'd returned from a US tour on Feb 1.