Government calls for united efforts from local entities during outbreak

The Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and the provincial government responded to the fight against the novel coronavirus this week, urging local social and economic entities to work together for disease control and maintaining steady socioeconomic development.

In their message that was released on Feb 10, the provincial authorities called on local entities to shoulder their own responsibilities and map out their own plans for disease control.

As most of the entities resume their operations after the Spring Festival holiday, they are required to track the travel history and record health conditions of their employees, helping identify possible suspected cases of the novel coronavirus infection and close contact with the infectious.

For local medical institutions, the goal is to ensure zero fatalities in confirmed cases and zero infection cases among medical workers.

The authorities also asked medical research institutions to step up their efforts in developing effective therapies and medicines for coronavirus patients.

Local businesses are also required to gradually normalize their business activities to ensure steady economic growth and meet the demands of the people.

The authorities called for mobilizing the wisdom and energy from all walks of life in fighting the epidemic.

Responding to the message, local entities have taken their own measures immediately.

According to local media reports, many companies and institutions have required their staff members to report their health conditions on a daily basis. They have implemented strict sanitation measures like disinfecting offices and business venues, and monitoring the body temperature of employees.

The Shanxi Provincial Science and Technology Department proposed 15 measures in boosting medical research and development.

"To date, we have approved 14 projects for the R&D of medicines and therapies and the second batch of projects is in the pipeline," said an official at the department.

For Zhendong Group, a large health product retail and services company in Shanxi, its response to the message has been to ensure a stable supply of medical products to hospitals and health clinics.

"We have required all our outlets to stabilize supplies and make sure the prices are not higher than those before," said an executive of the company.

As of Feb 9, the company had donated 21.24 million yuan ($3.05 million) worth of medicines and other supplies to medical institutions in 19 provinces and municipalities, according to the executive.

The People's Political Consultation Conference of Shanxi has held four meetings centering on the government message, asking for advice from all walks of life for fighting against the epidemic and stabilizing the economy.

A local political advisor said some constructive suggestions will be submitted to the local government.

Chen Junqi and Hu Yu contributed to the story.