All truckers on Shenzhen-HK run test negative for COVID-19

To date, more than 10,000 truck drivers shuttling between Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have received nucleic acid tests for COVID-19, and all tested negative, Shenzhen municipal government said at a news conference on Thursday.

Cross-boundary drivers who ferry fresh and essential supplies to Hong Kong are all required to have the test, said He Qun, deputy director of Office of Port Entry and Exit of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government.

As of Wednesday, 72,211 samples from truck drivers shuttling between the two cities through four highway ports have tested negative. So far, none has been infected or suspected of being infected with the virus, added He.

Since April 10, cross-boundary truck drivers in Hong Kong must provide health codes and negative test results within seven days to pass through ports to Shenzhen to avoid serving a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

In Hong Kong, more than 85 percent of fresh vegetables, fruit and meat are supplied by the mainland, and transported by the truck drivers.

The drivers put realistic pressure on epidemic prevention and control for Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

To monitor their health conditions, Shenzhen and Hong Kong have jointly implemented a series of management measures.

The roll with the freight drivers' names has been recorded and jointly shared by the two sides. Anyone not appearing on the roll is prohibited from doing the job.

Their daily freight routes on the mainland are also required to be reported through iShenzhen App. Those who do not follow the declared routes and do not obey the control measures will be punished accordingly.