CHINA DAILY – The State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism reiterated its commitment to cracking down on COVID-19 control malpractices on Saturday, and urged localities to rectify improper implementation of the 20 recently adjusted measures to improve epidemic control.
Some local governments have taken overt measures, such as ordering widespread lockdowns, and some have displayed a lax attitude toward the disease. Both approaches are wrong, according to the mechanism.
Arbitrarily imposing extra COVID-19 restrictions and other problems that have emerged following the release of the 20 adjusted measures on November 11, must be firmly addressed, it added.
Researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Wang Liping said that the adjusted measures not only require local officials to cope with outbreaks in a more scientific manner, but also guide them to be more considerate in implementing them.
“We’ve laid out very clear provisions, so as to resolve problems in community management and secure the basic livelihoods of affected residents,” she said in an interview with China Central Television on Saturday.
Wang said the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control have sent working groups to urge and guide localities on the strict implementation of the ninth COVID-19 control protocols and the 20 adjusted measures.
More resolute measures are also being urged to curb rising infections.
To try and guarantee rigorous enforcement of the new measures, Hefei, capital of Anhui province, has released a list of 16 provisions.
They include trying to ensure the normal functioning of social service centres, logistics parks and markets during outbreaks by rotating shifts of workers.
Door-to-door services for people quarantined at home have also been strengthened.