Chongqing- During China’s Spring Festival travel season, Chongqing has tested about 1.25 million key personnel and around 120,000 environmental samples. The results of the COVID-19 test were all negative.

According to the National Health Commission, key personnel includes those engaged in handling imported cold-chain products and people working in exposed sectors, port inspection and quarantine, aviation, public transport, fresh market, medical treatment, as well as disease control. The vaccination program will also cover those who plan to work or study in countries and regions with medium or high risks of exposure to the virus.

Up to now, key populations in Chongqing have been vaccinated with more than 1.22 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the 83rd press conference on the prevention and control of the epidemic held on February 26.

Deng Li, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, said that as of 24:00 on February 25, there were no confirmed cases in Chongqing. The two cases of asymptomatic infections who were still under medical observation were imported from abroad.

During the Spring Festival travel season, following the unified national deployment, Chongqing has strengthened its precise prevention and control and increased monitoring of key places and populations in rural areas based on normalized monitoring and early warning work. 

Deng emphasized the Spring Festival travel rush will last until March 8. During the period, the flow of people and logistics in the city remains at a peak, and the prevention and control of the epidemic is still facing challenges.

Next, the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission will continue to work with relevant departments, focusing on implementing normalized epidemic prevention and control measures. This includes reinforcing the screening of fever clinics, pre-examination and triage for patients, and establishing an effective system for hospital infection control.

Meanwhile, the Commission will continue to enhance monitoring the environment of public spaces, involving key populations such as returnees to Chongqing, newly hospitalized patients in township hospitals, escorts and staff, and recreation rooms in rural areas.

In addition, conducting closed-loop management of overseas personnel returning to Chongqing, the city will also apply strict control on the overseas import gateway channels, including health code inspections and temperature testing at stations, terminals, airports, etc.

After the school semester starts, Chongqing will also intensify the prevention and control management on any gathering event and activity, including teachers and students entering and exiting schools.