Enhanced supervision of imported food, travelers from risk areas

Shanghai has enhanced management of imported food as well as people coming from regions with medium- and high-risk of novel coronavirus infection. The latter must now receive 14-day quarantine at home or in designated sites.

According to Wu Jinglei, director of city's health commission, on June 13, they checked products in 87 markets across the city where imported foods are sold. They took 1,205 samples from these markets and all of them tested negative for coronavirus contamination.

And local market administrator also checked nearly 7,000 farmers' markets, shopping malls, supermarkets and restaurants between June 12 and 15, said Xu Jin, deputy head of the market supervisors.

Meanwhile, all people coming from or passing through domestic areas with medium or high risk of coronavirus exposure should report to their neighborhood or village committee, or the hotel where they are staying, within 12 hours, Wu said.

For those coming from high-risk areas, a 14-day concentrated isolation will be given with two nucleic acid tests. Those from medium-risk locations will have a 14-day home-bound isolation with two nucleic acid tests as well.

Wu said they will continue to do temperature screening at local airports and railway stations and check the health codes of people coming to Shanghai. Local communities will also help with screening.

Goods imported from countries and regions stricken by coronavirus will be put under strict supervision, along with sampling inspection. Management in key areas like farmers' markets will also be strengthened.

So far there are 67 medical institutions and 17 city- or district-level centers of disease prevention and control in Shanghai providing nucleic acid testing services. Wu said they plan to add 21 more organizations to do nucleic acid tests by the end of June.

Zhu Yi, deputy director of city's commerce commission, said the commission has set up a plan for enhancing the management of local farmers' markets, which specifies that these markets should have regular sterilization and cleaning while the health authority does tests on fresh food and venue facilities.

Customs will enhance inspection and quarantine on imported food, especially meat and seafood products. The market watchdog will check the sources of ingredients and products when vendors replenish their stock. Health checks will be given to those entering and exiting markets and emergency plans will also be worked out.

Zhu said now the city's supply of food is abundant and can meet residents' needs.

Sun Xiaodong, deputy director of the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suggested that it's better for residents to eat cooked dishes rather than raw food. Those who have close contact with fresh food should wear disposable hats, gloves, masks and shoe covers.