The press conference packed a wealth of information on the latest developments of the epidemic, freight logistics, and spring farming!

　　On the afternoon of April 19, the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism held a press conference to provide updates on efforts to rigorously and effectively contain the epidemic. Stay tuned!
　　 On the epidemic situation
　　The national epidemic situation is showing signs of gradual stabilization, but cross-regional transmission remains a significant concern. From March 1 to April 18, the 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported a cumulative total of 497,214 locally transmitted cases, affecting all provinces except the Tibet Autonomous Region.
　　Recently, the national epidemic situation has shown signs of gradual stabilization; however, cross‑regional transmission remains pronounced, making the task of achieving dynamic zero-COVID in all localities extremely challenging.
　　In Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Guangdong, Fujian, Liaoning, and other provinces, the epidemic situation has generally stabilized.
　　In Jilin City, Jilin Province, the epidemic situation continues to improve and is on a downward trend. In Changchun City, the epidemic is also trending downward; recent new cases have all been detected among individuals under centralized quarantine. However, given the large infection baseline, community-level risks have not yet been fully eliminated, necessitating the continued strengthening of prevention and control measures to consolidate existing gains.
　　In Shanghai, the epidemic remains at a high level, with a still‑elevated risk of community transmission. The prevention and control situation remains grave, and the tasks ahead are both daunting and urgent.
　　Dynamic zero-COVID and zero infection are fundamentally different; dynamic zero-COVID is the optimal choice for China’s epidemic prevention and control strategy. Dynamic zero-COVID differs essentially from zero infection. It means that whenever a COVID-19 case is detected, it is promptly contained and eliminated—preventing the virus from spreading within the affected area and also stopping its transmission to other regions. Dynamic zero-COVID does not aim for zero infections across the board, but rather seeks to eradicate each outbreak by swiftly cutting off transmission at the source, ensuring no new cases emerge. In other words, it does not require the entire country to be free of COVID‑19 at any given moment, yet it demands that every newly identified outbreak be brought under control within a relatively short timeframe.
　　After a person becomes infected with SARS‑CoV‑2, viral replication and proliferation occur over 1–2 days, followed by the onset of viral shedding—detected as a positive nucleic acid test—and continued shedding for approximately 7–12 days. The virus can only persist if it continues to circulate among humans. If, beyond the maximum duration of viral shedding, an infected individual has still not transmitted the virus to others, the virus will be cleared by the host’s immune defenses. By identifying all cases in an outbreak, implementing physical isolation to halt transmission, and maintaining vigilance until the longest possible shedding period has passed without further spread, the virus can be eradicated at the site of the outbreak. Consequently, the earlier an outbreak is detected, the smaller its scale, and the easier it is to achieve dynamic zero‑COVID.
　　When there is no sustained local transmission of COVID‑19 and the majority of cases are imported from abroad, the dynamic zero‑COVID strategy is the optimal choice. Following the battles to defend Hubei and Wuhan, nearly all subsequent locally transmitted COVID‑19 outbreaks in China have been driven by imported cases. Over the past two-plus years, practical experience has demonstrated that, for imported clusters of COVID‑19, we can detect each case and contain it promptly. “Dynamic zero‑COVID” achieves the greatest public health benefits at the lowest social cost, aligns with China’s epidemic‑control realities, and represents the most suitable approach for our national prevention and control strategy.
　　The novel coronavirus may evolve in either of two directions: toward increased transmissibility with reduced pathogenicity, or toward increased transmissibility and heightened pathogenicity. Some people believe that the virus is mutating in a way that makes it more contagious but less harmful. In fact, from a biological standpoint, there is no intrinsic link between transmissibility and pathogenicity. The apparent inverse relationship between these two traits is largely shaped by social factors. When pathogenicity declines, infected individuals experience milder symptoms, spend more time engaging in social activities, and come into contact with a greater number of people, thereby facilitating further transmission. At present, no clear patterns have been identified in how the virus’s mutations affect its transmissibility or pathogenicity; it could evolve toward greater transmissibility with reduced pathogenicity, or toward both increased transmissibility and increased pathogenicity. Faced with the ongoing evolution of SARS‑CoV‑2, the most effective measures for the general public remain vaccination and consistent adherence to personal protective measures, such as wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining physical distancing.
　　 Regarding freight logistics
　　Accelerate the promotion and use of the nationally unified, mutually recognized travel pass.
　　As of April 17, 23 provinces nationwide have established the required pass system; 31 emergency‑material transshipment hubs in 10 provinces have been put into operation one after another; Shanghai Port’s container‑truck passes are being steadily implemented; and the保障 of key‑material transportation has improved markedly.
　　 The activation procedure for the pass:
　　In areas with normal conditions, a travel pass is not required as stipulated. In regions experiencing outbreaks, the provincial joint prevention and control mechanism in the medium- or high-risk area shall, based on the local epidemic situation and the needs of transporting key supplies, assess and decide whether to implement a travel-pass system. Meanwhile, provinces that have already issued travel passes should expedite the transition to the nationally standardized format and ensure smooth coordination of related work.
　 　Scope of use for the pass:
　　Pass permits are primarily focused on essential supplies such as medical and epidemic‑prevention materials, daily necessities, government reserve goods, and postal and express delivery services, as well as critical production inputs like agricultural products, energy, raw materials, and key industrial goods. Of course, provinces that have activated the pass system may, based on the actual needs of upstream and downstream links in their local industrial and supply chains, appropriately expand the scope of permit usage.
　　 Channels for issuing passes:
　　Provincial joint prevention and control mechanisms that have already implemented the pass system will issue passes in accordance with a nationally standardized format. Entities responsible for receiving and dispatching goods in areas where the passes are in use may apply free of charge to the local departments of Development and Reform, Industry and Information Technology, Public Security, Transport, Commerce, and Agriculture and Rural Affairs. These departments will, based on the needs of supply‑guarantee enterprises, material demanders, transport companies, and other relevant entities, issue passes in a coordinated manner, prioritizing urgency, ensuring timeliness, and emphasizing safety and convenience.
　 　The process of using the pass:
　　Passes shall be used on a “one vehicle, one permit, one route” basis; the driver, vehicle, permit, and designated route must all match the information specified on the pass. Passes may be reused within their validity period, and both paper and electronic versions carry equal legal effect. At present, the Ministry of Transport is leveraging digital tools to facilitate online application for passes and to issue them through multiple channels—both online and offline. For vehicles holding valid passes and meeting epidemic‑prevention requirements, local authorities are encouraged to establish dedicated lanes to ensure swift passage. It should be noted that no pass is required for shipments whose origin and destination are both outside areas that have implemented a pass system.
　　During the use of the通行 permit, vehicles may still encounter various issues due to factors such as local enforcement officers’ limited understanding of the policy and untimely information sharing. In response, the Ministry of Transport will publish relevant contact numbers, publicly disclose details about permit issuance, coordinate traffic‑flow management, strengthen real‑time monitoring, and urge local authorities to promptly coordinate and resolve any problems, thereby ensuring smoother implementation of the system and facilitating more efficient travel for all.
　 　Truck drivers: “test, leave, and track” + “closed-loop personnel management”
　　First, nucleic acid test results are universally recognized nationwide and must not be required to be repeated within their validity period.
　　Second, truck drivers presenting a negative nucleic acid test result issued within 48 hours, a green health code, and a normal body temperature must be allowed to pass through without further restrictions; no additional layers of overly stringent measures may be imposed.
　　Third, for travelers whose nucleic acid test results exceed 48 hours upon arrival at their destination, a “nucleic acid test plus antigen test” approach may be adopted. If the antigen test is negative, the traveler shall be released immediately, and passage must not be restricted on the grounds of awaiting the nucleic acid test result. At the same time, a dynamic tracking mechanism shall be implemented: should the nucleic acid test subsequently come back positive, control measures shall be promptly notified to the relevant authorities ahead.
　　Fourth, establish and improve an information-sharing mechanism for truck drivers, implement “whitelist” management, and refrain from assigning a “starred” health code to truck drivers who transit through or stay in cities located in medium- or high-risk areas for no more than four hours.
　 　The 12328 transportation service hotline is staffed around the clock.
　　Streamline the channels for “immediate response to complaints and case‑by‑case coordination,” fully leverage the 12328 transportation service hotline, and maintain a 24‑hour on‑call system. For issues raised by the public, ensure prompt follow‑up and timely coordination to resolve them. Local authorities shall promptly address concerns related to port and waterway access, as well as disruptions in the movement of vehicles handling cargo collection and distribution at ports.
　　Mail and express shipments destined for areas that have been downgraded to low-risk status must not be unreasonably refused for pickup, and postal and express services shall be designated as priority channels for the transportation of essential supplies. In regions severely affected by the epidemic, distribution hubs should be established at courier parks and other facilities, with postal and express services treated as critical components of public livelihood, ensuring smooth passage for delivery vehicles. For trunk‑line transport drivers and couriers facing sudden, temporary, and urgent difficulties in meeting their basic living needs, timely measures must be taken to help them overcome these challenges.
　　Urge postal and express delivery enterprises to strengthen their analysis of the pandemic’s impact across their entire networks and to optimize and adjust network operations and routing during the epidemic. Require all enterprises not to unreasonably refuse to accept mail and parcels destined for areas that have been downgraded to low-risk status.
　　With regard to the orderly resumption of operations at sorting centers, allowing delivery personnel to enter residential communities, and expanding contactless delivery facilities, we will seek greater support from relevant authorities and strive to implement assistance measures such as providing free nucleic acid or antigen testing for delivery workers and offering temporary accommodation in lockdown areas, thereby helping them return to work with peace of mind.
　 　On Spring Farming Production
　　How can we implement differentiated prevention and control measures to ensure that spring farming is carried out on schedule, without missing the critical agricultural season?
　　In principle, control zones, management zones, and prevention zones shall be delineated at the village (hamlet) level, with targeted measures implemented according to risk categories. Any “one-size-fits-all” approaches, oversimplified measures, or escalating restrictions at each administrative level are strictly prohibited. Unauthorized checkpoints or arbitrary road closures and village lockdowns are also forbidden.
　　In counties (cities, districts) where no outbreaks have occurred, routine prevention and control measures shall be implemented to ensure the normal conduct of agricultural production.
　　In the prevention zones of counties (cities, districts) where an outbreak has occurred, while fully implementing control measures, ensure the supply of agricultural inputs. Agricultural machinery Agricultural products and agricultural workers are able to move freely, and farming activities are being carried out in an orderly manner.
　　In the controlled zones of counties (cities, districts) experiencing outbreaks, while implementing measures such as nucleic acid testing and closed-loop management, agricultural production shall be rationally organized, allowing farmers to carry out fieldwork during staggered time slots and peak‑free periods, and to follow a “two-point, one-line” work pattern—traveling directly from home to the fields and back.
　　In the lockdown zones of counties (cities, districts) where outbreaks have occurred, farmers should be encouraged to support one another in farming and planting. Relying on socialized service providers, entrusted‑management services should be offered to help those unable to leave their villages or enter the fields sow all the required acreage within the optimal planting window, ensuring that agricultural schedules are not disrupted and farmland is kept under cultivation. At the same time, on the premise of adequate personal protection, agricultural technicians should be permitted to provide on‑site guidance in the fields.
　　Ensure the smooth flow of agricultural input transportation for spring plowing by giving priority to issuing travel permits, prioritizing transport services, and expediting passage for regions free from outbreaks; arbitrary restrictions are prohibited. Agricultural machinery Transportation and field operations. In areas where outbreaks have occurred, efforts should be promptly organized at the village (hamlet) level to thoroughly assess the status of spring‑plowing machinery and spare parts, Agricultural machinery For manual labor needs, match service providers, suitable machinery, and operators to each plot of land; no restrictions shall be imposed on those who meet the eligibility criteria. Agricultural machinery Fieldwork by subordinates.
　　At the same time, we must do everything possible to ensure the smooth flow of agricultural input transportation channels for spring plowing, and ensure that… Fertilizer 、 Pesticide 、 seed Agricultural inputs and their production raw materials, Agricultural machinery Moreover, spare parts and components have been included in the scope of priority transport assurance for key materials, with the green‑channel policy for ensuring supply fully implemented—granting priority access to travel permits, prioritizing transportation, loading and unloading, inspection, and clearance.
　　The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has launched multiple hotline numbers and an online message platform to ensure the supply of agricultural inputs for spring plowing. Affected by the recent sporadic outbreaks of COVID‑19 in multiple locations and localized clusters, farmers’ access to fields and the distribution of agricultural supplies have been hindered. Agricultural machinery The resumption of road travel and the return of rural migrant workers to their hometowns to engage in farming have had an impact. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has been closely monitoring these issues and, in the earlier stages, issued directives to ensure smooth spring plowing and maintain… Animal husbandry The Ministry has issued multiple notices to ensure the normal order of production and sales, and has set up several hotlines and an online message platform for guaranteeing the supply of agricultural inputs during spring plowing, providing targeted assistance to address the practical difficulties faced by farmers and market entities. You are welcome to visit the homepage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to access relevant information, and to report any challenges or issues you encounter via telephone or online messaging. The Ministry will work with relevant departments and local authorities to promptly investigate and jointly facilitate their resolution.

Source: China Government Website Author: China Government Website