Civil agencies ordered to strengthen virus countermeasures

Shanghai's civil affairs authorities issued a notice on Wednesday ordering strengthened measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in seven civil service fields.

Marriage reservation numbers and times should be "scientifically" set and balanced, and the public should be guided to avoid registration during peak outbreak periods, according to a notice issued by the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau.

Services such as marriage-certificate issuing ceremonies, and marriage and family counseling at registration centers, have been halted, according to the notice.

Child welfare institutes in Shanghai will conduct closed-off management during the outbreak period and they are ordered to suspend all outside visits and volunteer services.

Elder-care service agencies are ordered to enhance management of visitors, and family members of seniors living at assisted homes are not recommended to visit.

Senior homes should suspend consultation services and cancel unnecessary volunteer services, the notice states.

Seniors leaving assisted homes during the Spring Festival holiday should return only when the outbreak is under control, and community-based meal service venues for the elderly are required to deliver meals to seniors' residences, according to the notice.

Community affairs service centers across Shanghai will guide residents to use online platforms and automated terminals to apply for services and reduce offline traffic.

For matters which require people to be present, centers should encourage applicants to make reservations and inform them of necessary application details via telephone to reduce visitor traffic, the notice requires.

Lottery sales venues across the city should require visitors to wear masks and avoid gathering, according to the notice.

Orphans, children in plight and children with absent guardians due to the epidemic outbreak are the priority of community epidemic prevention and control, and a daily contact and report system on these children should be established, the notice says.

Children with absent guardians due to the outbreak will be sent to juvenile rescue and protection centers for temporary care, according to the notice.

All staff in the city's civil affairs service system should undergo temperature checks before work and wear masks, according to the notice.