Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in Beijing, Ministry of Industry and Trade issues urgent warning

The Covid-19 outbreak in Beijing could impact on the progress of cargo clearance at border gates between Vietnam – China. Source: Internet

Last week, the city government of Beijing (China) detected a new outbreak of Covid-19 related to the Xinfadi market in the city.

According to the National Health Commission of China, by the end of June 15, the number of Covid-19 infections associated with the market had reached 79. Beijing authorities have taken samples and detection of SARS-CoV-2 on chopping boards at this market.

After the incident, the city government of Beijing and many other localities of China conducted a general inspection and checking food safety, origin of agricultural products, meats, and seafood (including frozen, fresh and related finished products) at local agricultural and food markets.

Households operating in imported agricultural and aquatic products must present a certificate of quarantine by Chinese Customs.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that the above situation may result in further strengthening of food safety inspections, supervision, quarantine testing, traceability for imported goods by Chinese authorities. In particular, agricultural products, meats and aquatic products (frozen, fresh and related finished products) at import ports/border gates in order to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic.

This may also affect the cargo clearance procedure at border gates between Vietnam and China.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade recommended enterprises and households manufacturing exported agricultural and aquatic products to Chinese market should enhance quality control, coordinate closely with import partners to strictly comply with China's regulations on quality standards, quarantine testing, food safety, traceability for imported goods; thereby contributing to reducing risks and cargo clearance time at border gates.