Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council, Chaired a Meeting of the Central Committee's Leading Group on Responding to the Pneumonia Outbreak Caused by the Novel Coronavirus (Excerpts)

On 31 January, 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 Committee's leading group on responding to the pneumonia outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus, chaired a meeting of the leading group.

The meeting underscored the crucial importance of containing the outbreak among the people who will return from the Spring Festival holidays. First, a category-specific approach will be taken in staggering the return trips.Hubei Province may extend the Spring Festival holidays as appropriate. The holidays will also be extended for those who are currently in Hubei but work elsewhere. They are required to postpone their return to places of employment. Regions with surging new confirmed cases or high potential risks may defer local production, business activity and new school semesters until a later date, as needed, in accordance with statutory procedures. Efforts must be made for the early resumption of the production of the badly needed medical supplies and daily necessities. Universities and colleges should delay their spring semester as required, and space out the return of students across schools and regions. Employees of Party and government bodies, and government-affiliated institutions shall return to work in time as required.Second, well-organized transportation must be ensured.The normal transportation order must be maintained, and means of travel for key groups of people must be well provided for. Proper sanitation should be guaranteed for transportation hubs and public transport vehicles.Third, effective containment measures en route must be ensured. Fourth, containment measures targeting people traveling in key areas must be strengthened. Fifth, Party committees and governments at the provincial level must exercise effective organization and overall leadership.

The meeting underscored the importance of ensuring the ample supply of materials for epidemic control. The production, allocation and distribution of medical supplies such as protective suits should be coordinated nationwide in a unified and well-organized manner, with the needs of key areas such as Wuhan prioritized. No retention for local use is allowed for supplies that are nationally allocated. Epidemic updates and containment information should be disclosed in an open, transparent, timely and accurate way. Partial disclosures or cover-ups will not be allowed.