BEIJING -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Nov 3 stressed the need to maintain COVID-19 containment measures to guard against an epidemic rebound over the coming winter and spring.

Sun made the remarks at a national teleconference of the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against COVID-19.

Major strategic results have been achieved in the country's response to COVID-19, but the containment situation is still complex and grim, Sun said, noting that cluster cases in some localities have exposed weaknesses in epidemic prevention and control.

Top priority should be given to guarding against importation risks, Sun said, ordering measures such as strengthened closed-loop management of inbound personnel and intensified detection and disinfection of imported cold-chain food.