China producing 60 million COVID-19 antigen test kits daily

 China's daily output of antigen test kits has hit around 60 million units, as the country steps up output of anti-COVID-19 medical supplies.

 

The figures were shared by Huang Guo, deputy director of the National Medical Products Administration, at a press conference on Tuesday.

 

Meanwhile, the production capacity of ibuprofen and paracetamol is also growing, with sufficient active pharmaceutical ingredients to meet domestic demand, said Huang.

 

China has also stepped up its crackdown on price gouging concerning medicines and other supplies related to COVID-19.

 

During the past two weeks, fines totaling approximately 2.58 million yuan (about 369,300 U.S. dollars) have been levied in 307 cases involving such illegal practices, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. 

China to ramp up development of human resources services providers

 China will support the growth of market entities in the human resources services sector during the 2023-2025 period, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

 

The country aims to cultivate about 50 leading enterprises and approximately 100 smaller firms that are innovative and distinctive in providing specialized human resources services by 2025, according to the circular.

 

Measures will be taken to expand employment through market forces, and platforms to match supply with demand in key areas, such as manufacturing, will be established.

 

Assistance will be provided to China's western and northeastern regions to beef up local human resources markets.

 

China plans to establish approximately 30 national industrial parks for human resources services and a batch of local industrial parks by 2025, focusing on building high-level national talent markets in key areas, the circular said.

 

Efforts will also be made to advance opening-up in the sector, facilitate relevant cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and establish high-quality export bases for human resources services. 

Cities begin welcoming more people back to the workplace

 As Chinese cities gradually regain their hustle and bustle with optimized epidemic prevention and control measures, people are being encouraged to return to work if their health conditions allow.

 

Staff members at Party and government institutions or enterprises in Chongqing who have mild COVID-19 symptoms can go to work if they wear a mask, according to a notice from the local COVID-19 prevention and control headquarters on Sunday.

 

Negative test results are no longer needed in those places, except for certain meetings or activities with special requirements, the notice said.

 

A negative test is also unnecessary in public places except elderly care and social welfare centers, prisons, nursery care centers and primary and middle schools.

 

Medical institutions also no longer require a negative test result except for new inpatients and their caregivers.

 

The notice said the city's districts and counties will retain certain sampling sites to serve residents as needed, and measures will be taken to meet residents' needs for medicines and medical consultations.

 

To reduce the impact of the Omicron variant, the headquarters suggested residents wear masks when participating in group activities or in public places such as while on public transportation.

 

The pace of vaccination and booster shots among the elderly will be accelerated, the notice said.

 

Chongqing, a southwestern municipality of 32 million people, had reported more than 90,000 infections at the peak of its most recent outbreak, which began on Nov 1. Most cases were found in 11 districts in central urban areas of the city.

 

Zhejiang province in East China released a similar notice on Sunday to encourage more people back to work.

 

Employees who show no or mild symptoms could continue to work in the office if necessary, as long as adequate personal protections are taken, local officials said at a news conference.

 

"Companies and public offices should take COVID-19 seriously, adopt active measures and prepare in advance to avoid mass infections in the same institution, so as to minimize the impact of the epidemic," Chen Zhong, deputy director of the provincial epidemic control and prevention office, said at the news conference.

 

They should make efforts in symptom management, and provide adequate health monitoring for their employees, he said.

 

It is suggested that the public protect themselves by wearing masks, especially in public places, disinfecting hands regularly and maintaining safe social distancing during this period.

 

To prevent cross infection, people should try to reduce travel and vaccination efforts should be strengthened, Chen added. "Those who are eligible for the second booster shot should do so as soon as possible."

 

In addition, companies, government offices and institutions are advised to "optimize their personnel arrangements and implement closed-loop management", and for key positions, optimized shifts are recommended to ensure normal operation at the height of the epidemic, he said.