China continues measures to control imported COVID cases

China will continue to take strict measures to prevent imported COVID-19 infections via people or goods after several inbound travelers tested positive for novel coronavirus after finishing quarantine, a senior health official said on Thursday.

Wang Bin, a senior official at the National Health Commission, said the commission requires all inbound travelers to take nucleic acid tests during quarantine.

At the end of the 14-day medical quarantine, they should receive nucleic acid tests from at least two institutions to increase the accuracy of the tests, she said at a news conference.

After they finish the 14-day medical quarantine, they should observe seven-day home health monitoring, take necessary epidemic containment measures when going out and avoid large gatherings, she said.

They should take nucleic acid tests at the end of their home heath monitoring period and one week after, she said, adding if they have shown symptoms such as fever or cough, they should seek medical treatment immediately.

Quarantine centers should take strict epidemic prevention and control measures and staff at the centers should also follow the measures strictly, she said.

More nucleic acid tests and sterilization should be conducted on the surface of imported food, especially on packages of cold-chain food to prevent COVID-19 transmission from imported food, she added.