Border quarantine law discussed

Revisions focus on improved information sharing among nation's port authorities

Chinese lawmakers are mulling draft revisions to the country's Frontier Health and Quarantine Law that would bolster emergency response measures against major outbreaks at the country's ports. Experiences accumulated during the fight against COVID-19 have been incorporated, authorities said.

The draft law was submitted to a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for first review on Monday. The session will run until Friday.

Revisions state that local customs, health and disease control authorities and research institutions should exchange surveillance information on contagious diseases. The General Administration of Customs should also promptly evaluate the risk of outbreaks spreading overseas and release early warnings.