At a press briefing given by the State Council inter-agency task force on COVID-19 response on 20 April, NHC spokesperson and Deputy Director-General for Communications Mi Feng cautioned about the growing risks of case importation via land borders despite continued decline in imported cases last week. He said that there have been local infections caused by imported ones in certain cities of entry, which have led to cluster cases. At the briefing, officials from relevant departments gave an update on the law-based measures to contain case importation.

Enhancing the response capacity of points of entry. Liu Haitao, Director General for Border Control and Management of the National Immigration Administration (NIA), said that for local authorities at land points of entry, the NIA has urged a five-pronged, inter-agency mechanism involving the local Party organization, government, military, police and community to prevent case importation across land borders.

First, closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the country/countries across the border and conducting law-enforcement cooperation with their immigration administration authorities. Second, taking strict management measures for inbound travelers to minimize the flow of people across the border. Third, stepping up police patrolling of side roads, mountain passes and ferries, and crack down heavily on illegal entry and exit. Fourth, strengthening population management in the border area. Fifth, ensuring strict control over key transportation lines linking the border area and the inland and increasing mobile inspection and arrest.

Ensuring sound infection prevention for cross-border transportation. While maintaining international cargo transport, which is essential for the stability of international supply chains, it is also important to prevent infections borne by cross-border transportation. According to Liu Haitao, the border control authorities inspect over 20,000 staff on transportation vehicles entering China each day, accounting for over 70% of all inbound arrivals. "In principle, foreign crew members on board international vessels are not allowed to enter China. Chinese crew members who have been on voyage for over 14 days, have good health and pass quarantine inspection are allowed entry. Chinese crew members who have been on board for less than 14 days must be placed under quarantine upon entry. Foreign cargo truck and train shall unload at designated places at points of entry and the staff shall leave China on the same day of entry. Chinese cargo vehicle drivers must have their information filed on record for management, monitor temperature and take nucleic acid tests on a regular basis. Aircrew of international flights must be placed under isolation," Liu said.

Better leveraging the role of first points of entry. Sun Shaohua, deputy head of the Operations and Monitoring Center of the Civil Aviation Administration of China,said that since 20 March when international flights bound for Beijing were rerouted to first points of entry up until 19 April, 135 fights carrying a total of 29,999 passengers are diverted from Beijing. Among them, 26,035 or 87% are placed under observation at their first points of entry. This measure has effectively curbed case importation to Beijing, made customs clearance more efficient, and enhanced safeguard for passengers' safety and health.