Health officials stated that China will increase the frequency of COVID-19 testing, target inbound passengers from high-risk areas, and strengthen management of port workers and imported goods. This is to strengthen virus containment when a new variant of the coronavirus emerges. Part of the measure.

Cui Gang, an official with the National Health Commission’s Disease Control and Prevention Bureau, said that the most recent domestic epidemics were caused by imported cases spreading to China through port cities.

He said that the defense against imported infections should be further strengthened, especially in port cities, including paying close attention to the pandemic situation overseas and strengthening local surveillance and prevention systems.

He said: "For people and goods from foreign countries and regions, it is necessary to introduce more frequent tests, limit the flow of passengers entering the country, and implement a circuit breaker policy for international flights."

Cui Gang added that the authorities should expand the scope of screening in key areas and groups based on local conditions.

In addition, port workers and other people who are likely to have direct contact with inbound passengers or imported goods should conduct closed-loop management.

He added that port cities that see a large number of cold chain imports should establish a designated warehouse to disinfect and test imported products.

The committee’s spokesperson Mi Feng said that the number of new infections in the world every day is close to recent highs. He said: "The spread of Omicron strains has further increased the pressure on China's efforts to fight imported infections."