Strict control of international arrivals

A number of measures have been adopted by the city to fight the coronavirus pandemic, including strict airport control and quarantine guidance for international arrivals, the Shanghai Health Commission said at a press conference on Friday.

Wu Ge, a representative of Pudong International Airport’s security department, said passengers on international flights have to go through preliminary health checks at customs before entering the country. 

Suspected cases of infection will be sent to hospitals for treatment, while others will be categorized and those from the eight key affected areas will be transferred to different districts in the city by chartered bus for home or designated places for 14-day quarantine.

The airport is providing separate routes for international arrivals, including departure gates, corridor bridges and luggage carousels to reduce the number of their contacts.

Other measures include security inspectors being required to disinfect themselves after each security check.

"Pudong International Airport sees a large number of international visitors every day. Over 500 of my colleagues have been dispatched to support front-line checks of international arrivals," said Wu.

After leaving the airport, with the support of community workers from the city’s subdistricts and residential committees, returnees under self-quarantine will receive assistance including volunteer interpreters, daily deliveries of necessities and garbage sorting.

Qian Haiou, a police officer in charge of an international community in Changning District, said: “We have community workers to take note of those returning from hardest-hit countries in advance, and organize volunteer teams to help them through the quarantine period. Through understanding and unison we can defeat the coronavirus.”