China Also Tests Garlic for COVID-19... Due to Wuhan Trauma?

Henan Province Faces Farce Over Garlic Sprout Nucleic Acid Tests Due to Agricultural Buyers' Demands
Beijing, Host City of Winter Olympics, Strengthens Quarantine Measures Including Disinfection of International Mail

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] As the number of COVID-19 cases in Beijing, the host city of the '2022 Beijing Winter Olympics,' shows no signs of subsiding, the city has decided to conduct a second round of nucleic acid testing focusing on areas where confirmed cases have been reported. In addition, Beijing health authorities will implement quarantine measures on international mail (parcels) and track recipients who have received parcels from overseas.

Photo by Global Times capture

An absurd farce occurred involving nucleic acid testing on garlic sprouts grown in greenhouses from Henan Province.

According to the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 25th, as of the previous day, a total of six COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Beijing. Among them, one was an asymptomatic carrier. Four of the confirmed cases were identified in Fengtai District, and one was from Chaoyang District.

As confirmed cases continued to emerge in Fengtai District, Beijing began the first round of nucleic acid testing targeting 2 million residents of Fengtai District from the 23rd and started the second round of nucleic acid testing from this day. Additionally, comprehensive nucleic acid testing will be conducted on the 25th and 27th in 10 medium-risk areas within Xicheng District, where hotels that confirmed cases stayed are located.

With the Winter Olympics approaching and COVID-19 spreading throughout Beijing, the city is tightening its quarantine measures. Beijing has increased its quarantine level by disinfecting international mail twice, which is suspected to have introduced the Omicron variant.

Huanqiu Shibao reported on the same day that quarantine measures on international mail will be strengthened, including disinfection and inspection of international mail, enhanced health monitoring of postal workers, and tracking investigations of mail recipients.

The Beijing CDC guidelines require international mail recipients to wear masks and gloves outside their homes when opening overseas mail. They also recommend disinfecting the outer packaging before opening overseas mail and voluntarily undergoing COVID-19 testing if symptoms such as fever or cough appear within 14 days after handling overseas mail.

Chinese health authorities suspect that an Omicron infection confirmed in Beijing on the 15th was caused by international mail from Canada. Chinese health authorities have often detected the COVID-19 virus in imported products such as frozen salmon and have urged caution when purchasing imported goods.

Photo by Global Times Capture

Not only Chinese health authorities but also Chinese citizens are showing very sensitive reactions to COVID-19. Huanqiu Shibao published an article on the same day reporting that epidemic prevention staff in Henan Province conducted COVID-19 testing on garlic sprouts grown in greenhouses. This was done because buyers demanded certificates proving that agricultural products were free of the COVID-19 virus. Huanqiu Shibao reported that local governments conducted COVID-19 testing on agricultural products to reduce the burden on local farmers and included related photos.

While reporting on the local government's COVID-19 testing of garlic sprouts, Huanqiu Shibao also introduced comments appearing on social media such as Weibo. Chinese netizens commented, "The funniest and strangest COVID-19 test I've seen so far," "Both buyers and sellers are acting overly cautious," "Better than getting infected unknowingly," and "Local governments need to devise more reasonable plans," according to Huanqiu Shibao.

Meanwhile, the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee announced that four out of 529 people who entered the country to participate in the Olympics were confirmed positive the day before. The committee added that one of the four was a member of the athlete delegation.

An official from the organizing committee emphasized, "Epidemic prevention and control is the top priority in managing the Winter Olympics athletes' village," and stressed, "The goal of COVID-19 prevention at the Beijing Winter Olympics is not zero infections but zero spread."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.