China to tighten anti-epidemic measures ahead of Spring Festival

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China will take more stringent epidemic prevention and control measures amid higher risks of COVID-19 contagion during this winter-spring period, especially the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.

A number of provinces and cities in China have issued requirements specifying that people from low-risk areas should also provide negative nucleic acid test results valid within seven days upon their return. 

Wuhan, the first city to have reported COVID-19 last winter, said in a notice on Saturday that for all people returning to Wuhan from low-risk areas in other parts of China, seven-day-valid negative test results are required. Body temperature checks and health codes are also needed. 

Local communities must arrange nucleic acid testing immediately for anyone who fails to provide valid results, and these people should also undergo 14-day health management from the community. 

Southwest China's Sichuan Province has also made similar requirements. People entering the province from cities and districts of medium- or high-risk must provide seven-day-valid COVID-19 tests upon arrival. For those who come from other low-risk areas, only health codes are needed. 

Efforts will be made to stagger travels and encourage online shopping during the holiday, and the winter vacation schedule and commencement of the spring semester for schools will be arranged carefully, said Zeng Yixin, deputy head of the National Health Commission, at a press conference on Saturday.

Zeng called on people not to return to their hometowns to celebrate the Spring Festival, but stay where they live and work during the holiday to reduce personnel flow.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb. 12 this year.

Epidemic prevention and control measures against gathering, including banquets, parties and meetings, as well as visits to scenic spots will also be beefed up, according to the official.

Zeng also stressed the necessity of taking self-protection measures, such as washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing. 

Source:xinhua

Editor: Crystal H

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