Note:The following are the responses from authorities to some of the top concerns about the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing made at a press conference held by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council on June 19. In case of any dispute over a discrepancy, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

Q: After the recent cluster outbreak of COVID-19 in Beijing, what measures have been taken by the customs authorities to prevent the virus being introduced into China via imported fresh produce?  

A: The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its belief that, according to the existing investigation of coronavirus, there was no reported case of the virus being transmitted to humans by food consumption. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) both believe that the risk of transmission through the food trade was very low. Thus, they did not advise countries to impose COVID-19 related restrictions on international trade, including that involving food. As a member state of these international organizations, China upholds a scientific attitude and has adopted their suggestions. However, for caution's sake, while not wishing to affect the normal import trade, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) has arranged for novel coronavirus nucleic acid tests to be carried out through sample inspections of certain imported goods and articles and their related environment ever since February, with negative results in regard to all the samples.

In regard to the recent cluster infections in Beijing, the customs authorities have taken note that society is highly concerned about the safety of imported fresh produce. With a prudent and highly responsible attitude toward the people, the GAC has arranged for customs departments across the country to monitor cold chain fresh products imported from pandemic high-risk countries and regions, such as aquatic products, meat, frozen vegetables, aquatic animals, and time-sensitive or industrial products transported at low temperature. According to the data on the GAC's website, on June 18, customs across the country conducted tests for COVID-19 on 15,638 samples, with 3,508 being goods samples, 10,608 samples of the interior or exterior packing material, and 1,522 environmental samples. All samples tested negative for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, China's customs pay constant attention to the development of the global pandemic, and have fulfilled their function of ensuring the safety of imported goods. At the same time, they have strengthened communication with other countries. The GAC sent messages to 42 key countries, requesting their competent government departments and food producers to strictly follow food safety guidance for food businesses jointly issued by the FAO and the WHO, establish effective food safety management systems and take preventive measures to protect exported food from being contaminated with the novel coronavirus so as to jointly ensure the safety of the food trade.

The customs authorities will continue to make efforts on risk analysis and monitoring, strictly conduct inspection and quarantine, and fulfill their responsibility to ensure imported food safety. 

Q: Experts say Beijing's current COVID-19 outbreak was caused by human transmission and contamination of goods or materials. Is it safe to buy vegetables, fresh seafood and meat in the market? What kind of contacts would contaminate them? Is it safe to eat food bought from Xinfadi wholesale market after May 30?

A: So far, there is no evidence that novel coronavirus can spread through food products, including seafood, via the digestive tract. According to research, the virus mainly spreads through respiratory droplets produced by COVID-19 patients and close contacts. Exposure to a high density of aerosol in a closed environment may also increase the chances of getting infected. Other transmission routes are yet to be confirmed. 

To reduce potential risks, though, it is recommended to avoid touching raw fish or meat when buying groceries, and be aware of food safety while cooking meals. For example, we need to wash our hands thoroughly before and after cooking, use separate chopping boards for raw ingredients and cooked food, thoroughly heat up food and drinking water, peel fruits, and could disinfect cooking utensils and dishes through steaming them for 15 minutes. These are a few ways that can help reduce the risk of infection.