Covid-19 in China

[Randy W]

from the SCMP

 

Why an American, concerned by Covid, rushed her children to China

 

As the coronavirus raged in mainland China, a Shanghai-based American packed her two daughters off to her native United States. But after witnessing the two countries’ markedly different approaches, she found herself rushing them back

[Randy W]

. . . and Macau, from the SCMP

 

How Macau’s health care system was primed to beat the pandemic

Macau University of Science and Technology opened its Faculty of Medicine in September, marking a new chapter for the former Portuguese colony. Its success in controlling the Covid-19 outbreak has led to calls for help from around the world.

 

On January 24, universities were ordered to extend their Lunar New Year holiday until February 10 and primary and secondary schools were to remain closed until February 11. The Sports Bureau announced all of its facilities closed, too.

 

In the days that followed more decisive steps were taken: the Portas do Cerco border crossing to Zhuhai reduced opening hours on January 25; a day later it was announced that all of the more than 1,000 travellers from Hubei province who had entered Macau between December 1 and January 26 were to be quarantined.

 

Further announcements were made that no travellers who had been to Hubei in the previous 14 days could enter any casino. From January 27, anyone who had been to Hubei in the previous 14 days could not enter Macau without a doctor’s note proving they were free of the coronavirus. On January 28, in accordance with decisions made by the central government, Macau announced that entrance of all mainland visitors would be temporarily suspended.

 

In a historic stroke on February 4, Macau announced that all casinos would have to cease operations for two weeks. As would all gathering places, from cinemas to restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

 

The government’s rapid reaction kept the infection rate to a mere 11, until a second wave of cases, triggered by arrivals from overseas, emerged in mid-March, raising the tally to 45 by early April, most caught in designated quarantine hotels.

 

“We were able to react fast in Macau because, in the 1980s, the Portuguese administration established the Health Bureau [sSM]. Since then, the SSM has handled avian flu, swine flu and Sars,” says Dr José Manuel Esteves, president of the Macau Association of Portuguese-Language Doctors.

 

 

[Randy W]

'Spot' the robot dog is patrolling one of Singapore's parks to enforce social distancing as part of a coronavirus-related trial.

from Al Jazeera English on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/7382473689/posts/190822885295278/

Edited June 8, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

from Bloomberg

 

Over 100 Million in China’s Northeast Face Renewed Lockdown

Bloomberg News

May 18, 2020, 2:58 AM EDT

Updated on May 18, 2020, 5:42 AM EDT

Conditions return to height of China’s epidemic in February

Frustration as restrictions tighten again after earlier easing

 

Some 108 million people in China’s northeast region are being plunged back under lockdown conditions as a new and growing cluster of infections causes a backslide in the nation’s return to normal.

 

In an abrupt reversal of the re-opening taking place across the nation, cities in Jilin province have cut off trains and buses, shut schools and quarantined tens of thousands of people. The strict measures have dismayed many residents who had thought the worst of the nation’s epidemic was over.

 

. . .

 

While the cluster of 34 infections isn’t growing as quickly the outbreak in Wuhan which started the global pandemic last December, China’s swift and powerful reaction reflects its fear of a second wave after it curbed the virus’s spread at great economic and social cost. It’s also a sign of how fragile the re-opening process will be in China and elsewhere as even the slightest hint of a resurgence of infections could prompt a return to strict lockdown.

 

. . .

 

Shen Jia, a Shenyang-based salesman at a life sciences company, canceled a three-day business trip to Jilin city last week because he would have been quarantined for as long as 21 days on his return. A state-owned restaurant he visited last week separated his party of three because only two people are allowed at each table, a restriction that had been eased weeks ago before being re-instated.

 

. . .

 

Still, delivery services have been mostly halted and anti-fever medication is banned at drugstores to prevent people from hiding their symptoms. The tension has spread to nearby areas, even if no cases have been reported officially in those places yet.

 

 

[Randy W]

How it's done - this is Wuhan. 11,000,000 residents being tested

 

 

 

[Randy W]

From face masks and temperature checks to lunch delivered to workers’ desks, this is how JD.com keep its workplace safe from Covid-19.

For the latest on the pandemic: sc.mp/covid19

JD.com's pandemic precautions - from the SCMP

https://www.facebook.com/355665009819/posts/276227940173007/

Edited June 8, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

The people-centered development philosophy demonstrates the belief and mission of the Communist Party of China, and it must be unswervingly upheld, President Xi Jinping said on Friday.
Xi made the remarks while taking part in a meeting with deputies from the delegation of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region to the third session of the 13th National People's Congress.
The people's lives and health should be protected at all costs, Xi said, adding that the government should make continuous efforts and remain alert on disease control and prevention to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19.

from the CPPCC via China Pictorial

https://www.facebook.com/553929144732479/posts/2795177643940940/

Edited June 8, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

from the Global Times - a little bit of competitiveness

Phase one results of a Chinese #COVID19 #vaccine published in the #Lancet on Friday are more complete, transparent and precise than those of the US' Moderna, which revealed only partial results on its website: experts https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1189221.shtml

https://www.facebook.com/115591005188475/posts/3109237492490463/

Edited June 8, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[tsap seui]

Boy Howdy!!! Them Chinese is jest somethin' else ain't they? Gonna save the world from that awful virus that America inflicted upon the world in Wuhan, are they, really, now? Well, God Bless their lil' ol' hearts. Imma so 'cited, Lucy....we gonna be able to go outside and breathe oxygen once again...put yer clothes back on, sweetie pie, I'll go warm up the 62' Studebaker, so's we-uns can take a few victory laps around the estate. Harumph harumph

[Randy W]

 

Notice – Commercial Flight Availability Limitations to Continue through June 30th

 

Travel Advisory – U.S. Embassy Beijing, People's Republic of China (May 29, 2020)

Location: People’s Republic of China

 

Notice – Commercial Flight Availability Limitations to Continue through June 30th:

 

The Chinese Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) plans to extend its “Five Ones” flight policy until June 30^th – each (one) country can send one flight from one airline via one route once per week. To date, four Chinese airlines have been granted direct flight routes from China to the United States, namely, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Xiamen Air.

 

Publicly available online ticket sales indicate that some international and U.S. airlines have started selling China-to-United States flights on their websites. Please note due to uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak, delays and/or cancellations could continue to occur. The Department of State is not offering additional evacuation flights from China at this time.

 

Chinese Visas & Duration of Stay: Please note that if you overstay your visa in China, you may be detained and/or fined. If you think that an overstay is possible given flight changes/cancellations, you should reach out to the Exit & Entry Administration of the local Public Security Bureau to request an extension.

 

Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel: The Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.

 

You can register your presence in China by enrolling online in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/step.html/.

 

--

 

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Beijing, China

Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Email: BeijingACS@state.gov

Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/beijing/

 

U.S. Consulate General Chengdu, China

Telephone: +(86)(28) 8558-3992

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Email: AmCitChengdu@state.gov

 

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou, China

Telephone: +(86)(20) 3814-5775

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Email: GuangzhouACS@state.gov

Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/guangzhou/

 

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai, China

Telephone: +(86)(21) 8011-2400

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Email: ShanghaiACS@state.gov

Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/shanghai/

 

U.S. Consulate General Shenyang, China

Telephone: +(86)(24) 2322-1198

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(24) 2322-1198

Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov

Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/shenyang/

[Randy W]

diversion of flights to Beijing - Weixin link. I have copied the entire text, in case you can't get to it.

 

The new (June) airline restrictions are discussed here (CFL topic) -

 

Question on restrictions coming back from China to USA

 

Airports handling intl flight arrivals to Beijing rise to 16

 

According to a notice issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, starting from Monday, Shanghai, which used to handle diverted flights bound for the capital, stopped serving as the first port of entry, with Chengdu, Changsha, Hefei and Lanzhou added to the list, the administration said.

 

Shanghai is no longer a first entry point for international flights to Beijing, the civil regulator said on Monday.

Wuhan in Central China's Hubei province also will serve as the first back-up city to receive international arrivals, the administration said.

Since March 23, all international flights bound for Beijing have been required to be diverted to 12 designated airports, namely in Tianjin, Hohhot, Taiyuan, Shanghai Pudong, Shijiazhuang, Jinan, Qingdao,Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Zhengzhou, and Xi'an for testing procedures before they are allowed to enter Beijing and beyond.

 

 

[Randy W]

The Hong Kong government is throwing a HK$30 billion lifeline to the city's struggling flagship airline, Cathay Pacific.

Read the full story: https://sc.mp/iy1s4

Hong Kong to bailout Cathay Pacific - from the SCMP

https://www.facebook.com/355665009819/posts/3267155210002462/

Edited June 8, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

from the Sixth Tone

 

46 People Linked to Beijing Market Test Positive for Coronavirus

• The virus was reportedly first detected on a chopping board used for fish at the city’s largest farmers market.

A district in Beijing is now in “wartime” mode following the closure of a wholesale agriculture market that has been linked to a spike in locally transmitted infections of the COVID-19 virus over the past two days.

At a press briefing Saturday, officials reported that 46 people connected to the Xinfadi market — the largest farmers market in China’s capital — had tested positive for the coronavirus. Forty-five of the infected work at the market, and the additional person is a close contact of someone who visited the market. None of the 46 who tested positive have shown symptoms.

The Xinfadi market was closed at 3 a.m. Saturday, and authorities have ordered a mass inspection of the city’s meat products currently in circulation, targeting wholesale markets, restaurants, and grocery stores.

Chu Junwei, a local official, said at the press briefing that Fengtai District, where Xinfadi is located, is now in “wartime emergency” mode. Around 140 close contacts of the newly identified cases have been put under quarantine. Meanwhile, 11 residential communities near the wholesale market will be sealed off, Chu said, and nearby kindergartens and primary schools will suspend classes.

 

 

 

 

[Randy W]

from TheChinaTrips on Facebook

Hong Kong Disneyland is back - Thursday

https://www.facebook.com/2358098751081249/posts/3402677966623317/

Edited June 8, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

from China Daily on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/191347651290/posts/10158559250431291/

Quote

Beijing has disinfected 276 farm produce markets and closed 11 such underground and semi-underground markets as of 6 am Tuesday to better curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. #COVID_19 #Beijing

Edited June 8, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)