The recent epidemic in some places of China is related to agricultural products found in wholesale market, and it’s time for parents to take their children out to relax during the summer vacation. When purchasing, processing foods and traveling, what should you take care of?

So far, Guangzhou CDC has conducted normalized surveillance for the novel coronavirus in key places, including medical institutions, supermarkets, cold storage, vehicles, and schools. Nucleic acid testing results show that all environmental samples collected were negative between July 1 and August 9.

Based on the recent testing results and epidemic situation of key places and people, the possibility is that current environment and food from various key places in Guangzhou are less likely to be contaminated by the virus. The risk of transmission through environment and food is low, according to Guangzhou CDC.

However, when going out for purchasing, dining and other activities, we still need to take protective measures.

(Photo: Fu Chaojun)

Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands after purchasing ingredients

Zhang Zhoubin, Deputy Head of the Guangzhou CDC, suggested wearing a mask when shopping in supermarkets and farmer’s produce markets, and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth after choosing foods or before cleaning your hands.

Wash hands after returning home as soon as possible. Zhang added, “When washing foods, especially recently imported aquatic products and poultry, clean them in a gentler way. Otherwise, contamination might occur if they are rinsed with relatively high-pressure tap water." High pressure may cause any pathogens present to spread further than low pressure water.

Avoid sharing a table with strangers

(Photo: Guangzhou Daily)

When dining out, choose places with better environmental conditions and less crowds, reduce the number of gathering diners, keep a proper distance between you and them, and use serving chopsticks.

In restaurants with private rooms, it is recommended to choose one with better air circulation, and avoid sharing a table with strangers in small restaurants. 

(Photo: Zhu Hongbo)

Also mark these tips during summer vacation travel.

Choose low-risk areas for travel

Zhang Zhoubin stressed, the COVID-19 epidemic is still not over, protection measures cannot be relaxed. "As for summer travel, most of places across China are currently low-risk, and tourism services are gradually recovering. Citizens should choose low-risk areas as travel destinations, while medium- and high-risk areas are not recommended, except for special needs."

Remember to bring protective products

❖Bring masks, small bottles of hand sanitizer when traveling.

❖Self-driving travel is the most ideal way to travel. Pay attention to ventilation of the car during the journey.

❖Wear a mask and keep social distancing when you use public transport.

Ventilate hotel room by opening windows after check-in

❖Open windows for ventilation after check into the hotel.

❖Choose outdoor attractions, avoid places with dense flows of people, also, where possible, make an appointment in advance.

❖Pay close attention to your physical conditions during travel and after coming back home. Seek medical attention if you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms.

Author: Hannah

Editor: Steven, Jerry