Photo: Xinhua

Local health authorities in Xiantao, Central China’s Hubei Province announced on Wednesday night that it has decided to abandon its previous statement, which prohibits its staff members from discussing the COVIC-19 epidemic in online groups and receiving interviews. 

A spokesperson for the Xiantao health commission told the Shangyou News outlet that the former statement was inappropriate, and was no longer valid. In addition, the local health commission that released the statement has held an emergency meeting to review shortcomings.

The spokesperson explained that their aim was not to block information or the media. 

The statement was released on Tuesday after a small number of its staff were found to have leaked personal information of patients and spreading details of the epidemic without official confirmation, which had produced a negative impact on patients and epidemic control work, said the spokesperson. 

The statement ruled that individual opinions are not allowed in group discussions, staff members should guide people to understand the epidemic correctly, and interviews are not allowed without permission, just in case some lawbreakers obtain inside information and use it maliciously.

Meanwhile, the move has received mixed comments on social media, as some believe that it was necessary in this special time, especially for such a big institute with people of varying professional levels. Others believe that the move was simple and crude.

“There will be no soil for rumors to grow if they are open, transparent and fair,” said a netizen. 

With a population of 1.56 million, the city of Xiantao has confirmed 567 cases of novel coronavirus infection in total as of press time.

Global Times