Shenzhen will further strengthen its public health response system, as some areas of weakness were exposed in coping with the COVID-19 epidemic. The draft regulations on public health emergencies were submitted to the city’s legislature for review Sunday, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

According to the draft regulations, Shenzhen will improve the monitoring network of public health emergencies, which is composed of medical institutions, checkpoints, airports, railway stations, schools and other key public places.

The staff of the network’s units shall report relevant information through the public health emergency monitoring platform within two hours, if they find that there may be public health emergencies such as an outbreak of infectious disease.

Citizens and organizations are encouraged to report hidden dangers of public health emergencies through the public health hotline 12320 and tip off behaviors of delayed reporting, false reporting, concealing and giving false information related to public health emergencies.

The draft regulations also emphasize the significance of ensuring public health emergency supplies and material reserves as well as enhancing production capabilities.

The draft regulations stipulate that according to the needs of prevention and control of public health emergencies, the information of cases and epidemiological investigation will be released in a timely manner to the public, so as to raise public awareness of preventing public health emergencies.

The information of the cases, if it is to be released, will be encrypted to ensure personal privacy security.

The city’s legislature will also review the draft of the city’s health regulations, which propose to establish an incentive mechanism to guide residents to actively participate in health management.

Food enterprises are encouraged to produce low-salt, low-oil, low-sugar and sugar-free foods, and provide obvious labeling on the packaging, according to the draft regulations.

Meanwhile, alcoholic beverages are prohibited to be sold within 50 meters of the entrance and exit of primary and secondary schools and service institutions for teenagers.

At least one regional medical center shall be set up in each administrative region and functional area, as per the draft regulations.

The center will be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of critical illnesses and complex diseases. Shenzhen plans to build 23 regional medical centers by 2025.