Decline in complaints related to disease

Market watchdogs in the Yangtze River Delta witnessed a sharp decline in complaints and tips-off related to the coronavirus outbreak over the weekend, Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation said on Tuesday.

Sunday was World Consumer Rights Day.

In total, 2,205 complaints regarding the coronavirus were received on Saturday and Sunday, accounting for 11 percent of all complaints forwarded to market watchdogs in the region.

The number was a drop of 63 percent from the Spring Festival holiday when the coronavirus outbreak had just started, according to the administration.

Shanghai's market watchdog received 308 complaints, with the price and quality of face masks and refunds for tourism and transport the most complained about. 

Market watchdogs in the region received a total of 19,947 complaints and tips-off on Saturday and Sunday, of which 6,158 were forwarded to Shanghai authorities, the administration said.

Among all complaints, 11,386, or 57 percent, regarded online consumption, with Internet service, or Internet games, food, clothing and shoes, transport and home furnishings topping the list, it said.

There has been an increase in complaints about online shopping, online entertainment and online services, the administration said.

As of Sunday, market watchdogs citywide had received 25,053 complaints and tips-off related to the epidemic, of which 2,337 were about refunds for pre-booked nianyefan (New Year's Eve dinners) or wedding banquets, involving 15.16 million yuan (US$2.16 million).

Another 2,631 were over pre-booked hotel refunds, involving about 4.14 million yuan.

More than 12,000 were about tourist attraction ticketing and cruises, involving 38.84 million yuan, the administration said.