Q: In Wuhan, the coronavirus was first detected at a seafood market, and the outbreak in Beijing this time also started from a market. Why did the outbreaks start in this way? Is there any analysis of this aspect? Will the same thing happen in the future? If possible, how can we prevent the virus from spreading?

A: Most of the fresh food markets indeed feature complex personnel structure, wide logistics coverage, large passenger flows and a humid environment. Such factors bring about great difficulties and challenges when it comes to tracing contaminated products and managing exposed personnel once the environment is contaminated or an epidemic breaks out. For example, Xinfadi market in Beijing is the largest market for agricultural and sideline products in Asia, and supplies over 80 percent of the agricultural products needed by Beijing. It also radiates to neighboring provinces such as Hebei. Since the first case was discovered on June 11, Beijing has responded quickly, initiated a second level emergency response, and strengthened the management of communities and the movement of people entering and leaving Beijing. Efforts have been made to organize all necessary nucleic acid testing among people from key industries and areas, trying to discover all infected cases. Authorities also called for people to take proper protective measures, striving to control the outbreak at an early stage.

The general public should certainly strengthen personal protection measures as soon as this outbreak occurs, including being aware of cough etiquette, taking disinfectant wipes when going out, maintaining good hand hygiene, ensuring clean food and safe drinking water, washing hands carefully before and after handling food, and avoiding consuming any uncooked food or un-boiled water recently. People from regions at different risk levels can refer to the State Council's guidelines, especially the revised version, as well as the just released "Guidelines on the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 for Key Locations, Organizations and Groups of Low-Risk Regions in Summer" regarding the wearing of masks in the proper manner. Gatherings should be reduced, and people should better maintain the 1-meter social distancing rule. If you detect respiratory symptoms like fever, a cough and general fatigue, you should seek medical treatment while wearing a medical surgical mask, rather than go to work while feeling sick. You should also try to avoid public transportation, so as to reduce the risk of infection. 

Q: Why do people leaving Beijing for business trips still need to adhere to a 14-day quarantine upon arrival and undergo another nucleic acid test, even though they have already taken the nucleic acid tests as required?

A: Since Beijing reported new cases of COVID-19, some local governments have put forth new policies, including conducting nucleic acid tests and requiring a 14-day quarantine for those who are from Beijing's medium- to high-risk areas and those that are related to Xinfadi market.

On June 16, Beijing raised its COVID-19 emergency response level to II from III. And people from medium- and high-risk areas and personnel related to Xinfadi wholesale market have been prohibited from leaving Beijing. Other Beijing residents should stick to the principle of avoiding "non-essential" travel out of the city. Beijing's residents who have to leave the city are required to take a nucleic acid test. Requirements were made to strengthen the management of people who are leaving Beijing; the measures that have been taken are as follows:

First, people who were in to the medium- and high-risk areas from May 30 to June 16, as well as personnel related to Beijing's Xinfadi market, are required to take the nucleic acid tests. Those who receive positive results on the nucleic acid test will be in quarantine. Those who are close to the suspected or confirmed cases, or the asymptomatic coronavirus carriers, if they have received negative results on the nucleic acid test, should be placed under a 14-day quarantine with medical observation in designated places. For other people who take the nucleic acid tests and receive negative results, they should be under enhanced health management via their workplace and communities. They should also be required to undergo a 14-day observation of their general health. And if they have symptoms like fever or cough, they should seek medical treatment.

Second, after June 16, people who need to leave Beijing must have negative results of a nucleic acid test taken within seven days or a health code carrying equivalent testing information. These people are allowed to move freely and in an orderly manner after arriving at their destination, provided that their body temperature is taken normally and personal protection is taken. All localities should no longer take restrictive measures targeting such people.

Third, those who were not tested before departing from Beijing for some special reasons should receive a nucleic acid test upon arrival at their destination. They will be allowed to move freely only if the result proves negative, the body temperature is normal and the personal protection adopted meets the standard set.