BEIJING, November 19 (TMTPOST) — China will continue to uphold its strict pandemic control and prevention measures with the goal of zero Covid-19 case across the country, said Wu Liangyou, director of the Department of Disease Control and Prevention of the National Health Commission of China, adding that there is no reason for China to loosen pandemic control and prevention measures.

Source: Visual China

There have been a total of over 40 local cluster transmissions in the country since the initial Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, according to Wu. The country was able to put several cluster transmissions under control within two incubation periods and halt the spread of Covid-19 in those areas. China believes that its Covid-19 policy is scientific and in line with China’s own conditions and that it can balance pandemic control and economic development. China will continue to uphold its principle of “prioritizing people and life,” according to Wu.

China currently adopts a zero-case policy for controlling and preventing Covid-19, imposing strict pandemic protocols, and taking proactive actions to eradicate Covid-19.  By constrast, countries like the United States, Japan, and Britain are working to manage it. China’s pandemic control and prevention measures include providing free Covid-19 vaccines and encouraging regular testing. When Covid-19 cases emerge, measures such as mass testing and quarantine will be taken. People who have had close contact with Covid-19 patients will be required to undergo a two-week quarantine and regular testing, while residential areas where the Covid-19 patients reside would be locked down. Residents within those residential areas are also required to take several Covid-19 tests. Travel restrictions are imposed to control the spread of the pandemic. Travelers from places with active Covid-19 cases and are classified as high-risk areas are often required to present a negative test result before boarding planes and trains.

China's borders have largely remained closed due to the zero-case policy. It is still very difficult for non-Chinese passport holders to enter China so far.