Teachers from Gansu province wait in a line to get on a special train to Xinjiang's Hotan prefecture, where they will help local schools. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The first special train from Gansu province started rolling on Sunday toward its neighbor, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, carrying 1,034 primary and middle school teachers to help with education in southern Xinjiang's Hotan prefecture.

To ensure the safety amid the coronavirus outbreak, teachers were allowed on the train only after having their temperatures taken. They were seated widely spaced and wore masks throughout the journey.

A passenger shows her train ticket before departure. She is one of the teachers from Gansu province heading to Xinjiang's Hotan prefecture to help local schools. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A passenger gets a temperature check. She is one of the teachers from Gansu province traveling to Xinjiang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]