The Straits Times:
According to many experts, the virus can survive in a low-temperature environment, especially on the surface of frozen products. Is there any research on this? There are many markets that use frozen or refrigerated storage for food, does this need to change because of the outbreak? What suggestions will you give regarding the management of the markets selling frozen foods?
Wang Bin:
Thank you for your question. It is very important to keep food frozen in summer, which is an important measure to keep food safe. It has been mentioned by our experts that there is no scientific proof so far to show that the infection is caused by food. Therefore, the key preventive measures we take remains targeting in normal conditions. As I have said, our stringent administrative measures are still in place at various venues, including farmers' markets, particularly those handling seafood, hostels and hotels. We have asked localities to enhance risk monitoring of imported goods, especially food, regularly carry out sampling tests on products, articles and venues, including some frozen food mentioned by this reporter.
Localities should focus on farmers' markets. Efforts should be made to require business vendors, including those selling frozen foods, to conduct hygienic cleaning and disinfection of their stalls, in a complete and thorough way. Also involved is the cleaning job for such market facilities as, public lavatories, water basins and garbage bins. Waste is required to be transported in a timely manner, and stringent disinfection measures are also to be undertaken to cover market corners, operating table, sewage pipes and vehicles, including those carrying frozen foods.
Strict disinfection should be applied to warehouses, including frozen food warehouses, the surface of objects and packages. Real-name registrations and reports on suspicious substances are adopted in markets, in addition to the preventive measures like sterilization and ventilation. I believe that those daily preventive measures will play a significant role in preventing and controlling the pandemic. Thank you.
Hu Qiangqiang:
Thank you. That concludes today's question-and-answer session. Many thanks to our media friends as well as our guests. This is the end of today's press conference.
Translated and edited by Zhang Rui, Zhou Jing, Li Xiao, Wang Yanfang, Guo Yiming, Li Huiru, Lin Liyao, Zhang Junmian, Wang Yiming, Fan Junmei, Cui Can, He Shan, Zhang Jiaqi, Wang Qian, Zhang Liying, Yang Xi, Wu Jin, Geoffrey Murray, Scott Rainen. In case of any dispute over a discrepancy, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
