Beijing optimizes COVID-19 prevention, control measures

Beijing released detailed epidemic control and prevention plans for communities, rural areas, schools and nursing homes on Friday.

The work target of community control and prevention will be satisfying the health service needs from seniors, especially those who are aged above 65, pregnant women, children and the disabled, said Wang Daguang, head of the community prevention and control office under the city's epidemic control authority, at a news conference on Friday.

The communities will work on discovering the potential risks at an early stage, in order to reduce the number of server cases, he said.

Health service centers at a community-level will complete the health information of key groups of people in their areas to offer corresponding services. Family doctors will increase their communication with residents.

The government will give policy support to increase the investments in community health service centers. Medicines and medical equipment will be supplied and medical staff will be increased.

In rural areas, Beijing will ensure the supply of test kits and medicines. The authorities will improve the emergency transport system by adding ambulances and organizing a batch of vehicles that can be used for transporting patients when needed.

"In rural areas, fairs and shows will be held with less frequency and people are still encouraged to not hold weddings and birthday parties, or be encouraged to hold them in a simpler way," said Tang Sen, deputy head of spokesman of the city's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.

Schools and nursing homes in Beijing have adjusted their control and prevention measures.

"Schools and kindergartens will not conduct mass nucleic acid tests," said Li Yi, spokesman of the city's education commission.

However, the city has cleared that the negative nucleic acid tests results are required before entering nursing homes.