Notice on Further Optimizing the Implementation of Covid Prevention and Control Measures

Promulgation Date: 2022-12-7
Title: Notice on Further Optimizing the Implementation of Covid Prevention and Control Measures
Document Number:联防联控机制综发〔2022〕113号
Expiration date: 
Promulgating Entities:Comprehensive Group of the State Council Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism for Responding to the Covid-19 Epidemic
Source of text: http://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/gzzcwj/202212/8278e7a7aee34e5bb378f0e0fc94e0f0.shtml
【法规全文】

To the joint mechanisms (leading groups, command teams) for prevention and control of Covid-19 in all provinces, autonomous regions, directly-governed municipalities, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and all member units of the State Council's Covid-19 Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism:

Recently, all areas and departments have thoroughly implemented the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and State Council, adhered to the ninth version of the prevention and control plan, implemented the 20 optimization measures, and continued to rectify the problem of changing requirements, and have achieved notable success. Based on the current situation of the epidemic and mutation of the virus, and in order to more scientifically and precisely prevent and control the epidemic, to effectively resolve outstanding problems in prevention and control efforts, we hereby give notice of the following matters regarding the further optimization and implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures:

First is scientifically and precisely defining risk areas. High-risk areas are to be designated as buildings, units, floors, and households, and must not be arbitrarily expanded to areas such as apartment complexes, communities, and neighborhoods (townships). Various forms of temporary closures and controls must not be employed.

Second is further optimizing nucleic acid testing. Do not conduct nucleic acid testing for all persons in an administrative region; further reduce the scope and frequency of nucleic acid testing. Antigen testing may be carried out as needed for epidemic prevention work. Nucleic acid testing is to be carried out for persons in high-risk positions or in high-risk areas in accordance with relevant regulations, and testing of others is to be done as they wish. It is not required to provide proof of a negative nucleic acid test or have a health code checked, except at special locations such as nursing homes, welfare homes, medical establishments, childcare institutions, and primary and secondary schools. Important [state] organs, large-scale enterprises, and some specified locations may determine their own prevention and control measures. Proof of negative nucleic acid tests and health codes will no longer be checked for cross-regional migrants, and destination testing will no longer be carried out.

Third is optimizing and adjusting the quarantine methods. Infected persons should be admitted for treatment in a scientific manner; asymptomatic infected persons and mild cases who are able to isolate at home are normally to be quarantined at home, or they can voluntarily choose to be admitted to centralized quarantine for treatment. Health monitoring should be strengthened during the home quarantine period, with quarantine lifted after the 6th and 7th day of quarantine where two consecutive nucleic acid tests have a Ct value of ≥ 35; and where their condition worsens, they are to be promptly transferred for admission to a designated hospital for treatment. Close contacts who can isolate at home are to quarantine at home for 5 days, or may also voluntarily opt for centralized quarantine, with quarantine being lifted after a negative nucleic acid test on the 5th day.

Fourth is implementing "quick closures and quick release" for high-risk areas. High-risk areas that do not have new infections for 5 consecutive days should have shutdowns promptly lifted.

Fifth is ensuring the basic needs of the public in purchasing medicine. Pharmacies in all areas should operate normally and must not arbitrarily shut down. The online and offline purchase of non-prescription medicine such as for fever reduction, cough, antiviral, and cold treatments must not be restricted.

Sixth is accelerating the vaccination of the elderly against the Coronavirus. All areas should adhere to the principle of full appropriate vaccination, making special arrangements focussing on increasing the vaccination rate of those aged 60-79 and accelerating the increase of the vaccination rate for those over 80, User measures to optimize vaccination services such as establishing green channels for the elderly, temporary vaccination stations, and mobile units. Carry out training on vaccination contraindications for all levels, guiding medical personnel to scientifically assess the contraindications, Refine popular science publicity, and stir all social forces to participate in mobilizing the elderly to vaccinate; each area may employ incentive measures to spur the enthusiasm of the elderly to get vaccinated.

Seventh is strengthening baseline investigation and classified management of critical populations' health statuses. Give play to the role of basic-level medical and health institutions for 'trawling' and the role of family doctors as health 'gatekeepers', to learn about the Covid vaccination status of elderly persons in the jurisdiction with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, tumors, immune deficiency, and other illnesses, and promote the implementation of management by category.

Eighth is ensuring the normal operation of society and basic medical services. Areas that are not high-risk must not restrict persons' mobility, and must not stop work, production, or business. Medical staff, public security, transportation, logistics, supermarket, social support, utilities, and other personnel who guarantee basic medical services and normal societal operation are to be included in "white list" management, and the relevant persons should do a good job of personal protection, vaccination, and health monitoring to ensure the supply of normal medical services, basic living requirements, utilities, so forth; and should try their best to maintain the normal order of production and work, promptly resolving urgent problems and concerns raised by the public, to truly satisfy the public's basic living needs of the masses during the handling of the epidemic.

Ninth is strengthening the safeguards for epidemic-related security. The blocking of fire routes [exits], building entrances, and apartment complex entrances is strictly prohibited, and clear channels for the public to access medical care, exit in emergencies, and so forth are to be ensured. Promote the establishment of mechanisms connecting communities and specialized medical institutions to facilitate medical care for the elderly who live alone, minors, pregnant women, disabled persons, and patients with chronic diseases. Strengthen concern, care, and psychological counseling for persons in lock down, patients, and front-line personnel.

Tenth is further optimizing efforts on epidemic prevention and control in schools. All schools in all areas should persist in implementing the requirement of scientific and precise prevention and control, schools that don't have the epidemic should carry out normal offline educational activity, and supermarkets, cafeterias, gymnasiums, libraries, and so forth should be opened normally. At schools where the epidemic is present should precisely delineate high-risk areas, and areas other than high-risk areas should still ensure the normal order of education and living.

Relevant departments of all regions should further improve their political stance, make their thoughts and actions unified with the decisions and arrangements of the Party central committee, adhere to the ninth edition of the prevention and control plan, implement the 20 optimization measures, and implement the requirements of this notice; resolutely correct simplistic "one-size-fits-all" and "constantly shifting" approaches; resist and overcome formalism and bureaucratism, have a firm and careful grasp on all prevention and control measures to protect the people's lives and health to the greatest extent, and reduce the epidemic's impact on economic and social development as much as possible.