Nippon Television:
Now the epidemic situation is increasingly serious in other countries. Under this circumstance, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong province and several other places have taken local restrictive measures. So what kind of restrictions will the Chinese government take?
Ma Zhaoxu:
I know many foreign friends are concerned about this issue. Just now we mentioned that the epidemic is no respecter of national borders. After the outbreak, in order to fight the epidemic and curb its spread, many countries have adopted different restrictions.
In the current situation, local governments in China have adopted relevant inspection, quarantine and prevention and control measures for people entering China from countries or regions experiencing a severe outbreak in accordance with laws and regulations and in accordance with local epidemic prevention and control needs and the international epidemic situation. Local practices should be determined by local governments as needed, such as measuring body temperature, 14-day medical observation at home or at a government-designated site. These practices are in compliance with Chinese laws and regulations. They are not only necessary for epidemic prevention and control, but also can effectively prevent transnational spread of the epidemic. They are responsible for the safety and health of the Chinese people, as well as for the safety and health of foreign citizens, and they are beneficial for the world's epidemic prevention and control.
According to the development of the epidemic, local governments in China will, in a timely and dynamic manner, adjust prevention and control measures for foreigners entering the country. In some places, some measures are being gradually introduced and adjusted as necessary. They are made entirely by local governments in accordance with the development of the epidemic and the needs of local prevention and control. I want to emphasize that, in taking these measures, we give equal treatment to foreign citizens and Chinese citizens, and implement corresponding measures without discrimination, and fully take care of reasonable individual concerns and provide them with the necessary protection and assistance. In fact, the measures China has taken so far in response to the epidemic have effectively alleviated the spread of the epidemic and prevented human-to-human transmission of the virus, which have also been highly recognized by the WHO. We hope that people from countries severely affected by the epidemic can fully understand and actively cooperate with the relevant prevention and control measures taken by local governments, and work with the Chinese side to prevent risks associated with the epidemic and safeguard their own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of others.
