Guangdong requires a 14-day self-quarantine or medical observation at designated hotels for all people arriving from or having been to high-risk areas experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. Passengers who show suspected symptoms will be sent to designated hospitals for further inspection and treatment. The measure pertains to both expats and Chinese citizens alike, according to the Guangdong Health Commission statement at the press conference on March 3rd.
The move aims to control and reduce the number of imported cases as the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the risk assessment of COVID-19 from high to very high at global level. On March 1st, Guangdong reported the first imported case in which the patient flew from London to Hong Kong on Feb 27 and then took a ferry to Shenzhen through Shekou Port on 28th.
To enforce the measure, airline companies will inform the related entry-exit polices in Guangdong when passengers purchase the ticket or check in at the airport, and actively provide help if they need a ticket refund.
During the flight, the cabin crew will ask the passengers if they have a fever or come from a region with a large number of COVID-19 cases, and require all passengers to fill in the health declaration form.
Those who have no masks will get one for free from the airline company or at the airport. The China Immigration Inspection, and the Customs and the Health Commission will enforce strict health inspections and related administration after arrival. Translation services will be provided during the process.
If sent to a designated hotel for medical observation, each passenger will have a single room. The hotel will guarantee catering services respecting the dietary requirements of the individual concerned.
Zhou Zixiao, Deputy Director-General of Guangdong Health Commission, stressed that Guangdong attaches great importance to the passenger demand while guaranteeing their health and safety, trying to achieve understanding and support from related countries and their people. The measures taken by Guangdong do not target specific countries or regions but apply to all arrivals including Chinese citizens and expats.
In addition, the Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) has informed the Consulates General of impacted countries about the situation and gained their understanding. The FAO also launched a 24-hour hotline 1258088 to handle related inquiries from expats in both Chinese and English.
广东：疫情严重地区入境者需隔离观察
近日，国外多个国家新冠肺炎确诊病例剧增。记者从广东省卫健委了解到，针对新冠肺炎疫情在海外呈现扩散态势，广东正全面加强入境健康管理，对来自或去过离境国家疫情严重地区的人员，入境广东后一律需接受居家或集中医学观察14天。广东省人民政府外事办公室（下称“广东省外办”）已分别向有关国家驻穗总领馆进行情况通报，并开设了24小时中英文咨询服务热线，及时回应在粤外籍人士的关切与诉求。
入境旅客抵达后，由我省边检、海关、卫健等单位共同落实口岸疫情联防联控措施。
跨部门联动协同严防境外疫情输入
3月1日凌晨，广东省卫健委通报，深圳市卫健委报告1例境外输入新冠肺炎确诊病例。该患者近两年一直在英国工作，2月27日由伦敦飞往香港，后搭乘渡轮到蛇口码头入境。29日，患者在深圳出现咳嗽、发热症状，咽拭子初筛新冠病毒核酸阳性，后转入定点收治医院隔离治疗。目前患者病情稳定，确定密切接触者达93人。
近期，多国出现新冠肺炎感染者数量持续攀升现象，世界卫生组织已将新冠肺炎疫情全球风险级别上调为“非常高”。3月2日下午，记者从广东省商务厅（口岸办）得知，我省第一时间建立起相应的跨部门联动协同机制，坚持多措并举、精准防控，进一步加强入境健康管理，严防境外疫情输入。
其中，有关航空公司已将我省有关入境检疫政策在离境国家购票和值机环节告知旅客，并积极协助有关退票手续。在飞行过程中，航空公司将提醒旅客是否存在发热症状及来自疫情高发地区等情况，并请其填写健康声明卡。对没有佩戴口罩人士，由航空公司或机场免费提供口罩。入境旅客抵达后，由边检、海关、卫健等单位共同落实口岸疫情联防联控措施，实施严格的卫生检疫措施和健康检测，并实施分类管理。
广东省卫健委有关负责人介绍，对来自或去过离境国家疫情严重地区的人员，入境广东后均需接受居家或集中医学观察14天；对有症状的人员，统一转送至指定医院进行检查和治疗。
据统计，自2月27日至3月1日，通过我省口岸入境的境外疫情严重地区旅客累计1496人。迄今为止，核酸检测结果全部为阴性。
依法依规保障入境旅客合法权益
广东省卫健委有关负责人表示，我省对来自疫情严重国家和地区人员入境后采取有关检验检疫和防控举措，如测量体温、核酸检测、实施医学观察等，符合中国的法律法规，既是当前广东疫情防控工作的实际需要，也可有效阻止疫情跨境传播，对中外各方的疫情防控都是有利的。
“在保证境内外公民生命健康安全的同时，我们充分考虑当事人合理关切和诉求，争取相关国家和人员的理解与支持。”广东省外办主任陈秋彦说，我省近期采取的入境检疫措施适用于所有入境旅客，针对外国公民和中国公民一视同仁，无差别地执行相应措施。
具体而言，在入境旅客乘车前往检测的过程中，安排专车并配备医护和翻译等人员；到达指定的宾馆后，按单人单间安排客房休息，并保障好餐饮等服务，尊重入境旅客的宗教和风俗习惯。
广东省外办还分别向有关国家驻穗总领馆进行了情况通报，阐明我省疫情防控政策，得到了理解。有关国家驻穗总领事表示愿意进一步加强沟通、携手合作，共同做好疫情防控工作。
2月8日零时起，广东省外办新增开通24小时中英文咨询服务热线1258088，安排专人值守，及时回应外国人提出的问题，协调解决实际困难。
来源：GDToday 中山日报