Citizens queue up for nucleic acid test at a testing site in Futian District of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 9, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

The Shenzhen Disease Prevention and Control Center in South China's Guangdong Province has reminded all citizens to avoid buying goods from high-risk areas abroad unless necessary, and remaining vigilant when purchasing goods from areas in China with confirmed cases, as the city is scrambling to contain a recent COVID-19 flare-up.

When receiving parcels, residents are suggested to wear masks and gloves and take disinfection measures, in order to reduce direct contact with the outer packaging of parcels, the CDC said.

The warning came after Shenzhen officials held a press conference addressing the prevention and control of the resurgence on Monday, suspecting the source of the flare-up probably stemming from outer packaging of imported goods. One of the confirmed cases in Shenzhen was involved in international cargo and had an exposure to imported goods. 

Many netizens in Shenzhen expressed their support for the CDC's efforts on social media Sina Weibo, showing their confidence that the latest outbreak will be quickly put under control.  

"I will suspend the purchase of cherries and overseas cosmetics," a netizen named cmdesefz said.

Analysts said that the recent outbreak in Shenzhen may have an impact on the city's cross-border e-commerce business including food imports like cherries, milk powder and seafood, as well as daily items such as cosmetics and handbags, as the city has become one of the country's major international logistics distribution hubs.

On Tuesday, four new COVID-19 cases were reported in Shenzhen, belonging to the same epidemiological chain as cases confirmed on late Friday. So far, a total of 8 positive cases have been reported in the city in this latest round of outbreak.

Global Times