Premier Li Keqiang Chairs Meeting of the Central Leading GroupOn Responding to the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Outbreak (Excerpt)

On 2 February, Li Keqiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Premier of the State Council, and head of the Central Leading Group on Responding to the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Outbreak, chaired a meeting of the leading group. The meeting made plans for flexible working hours in some affected provinces to further enhance epidemic control and called for ensuring market supply and intensifying support in medical supplies for Hubei Province, especially Wuhan and key surrounding areas.

It was pointed out at the meeting that in keeping with the leading group's instructions, the State Council has approved the plan of certain provinces to implement flexible work arrangements in light of local epidemic control needs while ensuring the timely return of employees in the companies and projects involved in epidemic control, public utilities, people's essential needs and other areas that are vital for economic development and people's livelihood.

The meeting urged steady supply of goods for epidemic control and daily necessities across the country. Local authorities are required to keep timely and accurate track of epidemic control supplies, including medicines, protective items and disinfectant products. Robust measures must be taken to support companies in resuming early production, operating in full gear, and expanding manufacturing capacity. The people's needs for daily necessities must be adequately met, and prompt efforts must be made for the early resumption of activity at key enterprises in grain and edible oil production, food processing and energy supply. Green channels will be opened for the supply of key goods, and coal, grains and vegetables will be shipped on a priority basis.

The meeting asked all sub-national governments and competent departments to assume responsibility for epidemic control in their own jurisdictions and areas of work and to see that each and every level of administration perform their duties effectively. It is crucial to remain open and transparent, and do a better job with early detection, reporting, quarantine and treatment to win a decisive victory in the battle against the epidemic.