A day laborer chats with his family online using a smartphone on Minggong road in Zhengzhou, Central China’s Henan province, at 7 p.m. on Aug. 8. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A day laborer rides a bike on Fushou road in Zhengzhou at 11 p.m. on Aug. 10, trying to find a safe place with surveillance cameras and lamps to prevent the loss of personal belongings while asleep. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

Zhang Shan, who has worked in Zhengzhou for over 10 years, searches for job opportunities using social apps on Erma road at 8 p.m. on Aug. 10. Zhang decided to live on the street after he found the hotel he used to live is under lockdown on Aug. 4. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

Day laborers recharge their phones while waiting for work in a public restroom on Fushou road in Zhengzhou at 4 p.m. on Aug. 9. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A day laborer washes clothes in a public restroom on Fushou road in Zhengzhou at 10 p.m. on Aug. 10. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A day laborer eating tomato walks to Jiefang road in Zhengzhou to look for work at 5 a.m. on Aug. 6. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A day laborer rides a cart toward a train station on Erma road in Zhengzhou at 5 a.m. on Aug. 6. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A day laborer complains to his companion about lack of work opportunities on Minggong road in Zhengzhou on Aug. 10, with police patrolling nearby reminding the laborers to keep social distance. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

The entrance of a hotel on Erma road in Zhengzhou was locked to restrict guests’ movement on Aug. 9. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A day laborer falls asleep at the eastern square of Zhengzhou Railway Station in Zhengzhou at 11 p.m. on Aug. 10. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A man lays at the eastern square of Zhengzhou Railway Station covering boards to keep warm at 1 a.m. on Aug. 11. Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin

A man falls asleep at the eastern square of Zhengzhou Railway Station at 1 a.m. on Aug. 11 Photo: Chen Liang/Caixin