DG Coronavirus Update & Foreign Affairs Bureau’s Message to Expats

Guangdong is under a Level 1 public health emergency, which was issued on January 23, closing many public areas, bars and restaurants to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which is a global health emergency as declared by the WHO on January 30. The Spring Festival holiday has been extended to February 9 for businesses by the Guangdong Central Government, and primary and secondary schools are closed until February 17 and universities are closed until February 24. Temperature checkpoints at grocery stores and travel hubs (subways, train stations and airports) are in place. People are urged to follow basic hygiene guidelines, such as washing their hands, covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing and wearing a surgical mask when in public to prevent the spread of germs. SCROLL DOWN TO READ OFFICIAL NOTICE BY DG FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU Six hospitals in Dongguan are designated to treat the virus according to the Dongguan Bureau of Foreign Affairs. So far, no city in Guangdong will close its borders the Guangdong Provincial Government said in a press conference; however, for those traveling to Hong Kong a partial border closing is in place. Trains from Mainland China to Hong Kong are on hold starting January 30 until further notice and flights are reduced by half. Other crossings such as Lowu and Lok Ma Chau are scheduled to remain open. As of January 30, there were a total of 7,818 reported cases, 7,736 in China, according to the World Health Organization. Official Notice From DG Bureau of Foreign Affairs In response to the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Guangdong Province has activated a Level I public health emergency response since 23rd January. Dongguan Municipal Government has mobilized resources and is engaging in prevention and control efforts. Your health and confidence are important to us, so we are reaching out to you. We recommend the following practices to all of Dongguan’s international residents: I. Do not trust unverified information. Follow official updates only. Follow “DG_WJJ” and “dgjkzx” (official WeChat accounts run by Dongguan Health Bureau and Dongguan Center for Disease Prevention and Control) for the most recent updates. Check out the list of designated hospitals in Dongguan, and look for prevention and treatment guides. If you have any questions, please call the inquiry hotline: 12345 (Dongguan Municipal Government Hotline).II. Increase prevention and self-protection. Keep good hygiene by washing your hands often with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer. Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or your flexed elbow. No spitting. Dispose of used masks appropriately. Maintain proper ventilation and keep rooms clean. Avoid close contact with wild animals or birds; eggs and meat must be thoroughly cooked before consumption. The general guidelines for avoiding cold viruses apply to coronavirus: get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly to maintain your health. III. Minimize outdoor activities. Avoid crowded places, parties and group activities. Correctly wear a mask (preferably, a surgical mask) if you have to go and attend one. Wear a surgical mask when going out and change it every four hours. Staff members from shopping malls, marketplaces, hotels and buses should wear masks. If you have mild to severe respiratory symptoms of fever, cough, breathing difficulty, or fatigue, please go to a designated hospital with a mask on. IV. Join in our mass prevention and control efforts. If you have been to the infected areas and returned to Dongguan within 14 days, or if you contacted people who are from the epidemic area, please monitor your health condition closely, stay at home, and timely report to local Disease Control authorities or designated departments. Please cooperate with government or community personnel or medical staff if they inquire about your condition. Feel free to contact Dongguan Center for Disease Prevention and Control (during working hours) at 0769-22625392 or the 24-hour emergency hotline of each township. We appreciate your support and cooperation and wish you good health and a happy Lunar New Year. Dongguan Bureau of Foreign Affairs January 29, 2020