On April 21, a team leading by Consul General Li Xuhang visited three earmarked Covid-19 testing providers in the consular area to inspect and guide work. At the testing sites, they checked the ID information of some people who were taking tests, inspected the whole process of sampling for nucleic acid test and antibody test for IgM, and instructed overseas Chinese volunteers to supervise the sampling process and verify information. They also communicate with the people in charge of the testing providers on how to strictly implement the requirements of the Consulate General on sampling time frame and how to effectively reduce imported cases. Vice Consul-General Tan Li were present.
Consul General Li Xuhang said that many confirmed cases were found to be imported through flights to China, which have caused suspension of some flights. Some people reported to the Consulate General that there are testing providers who did not take it seriously to verify ID information so that a few people took the loophole to cheat by having other people take tests for them. It is hoped that the testing providers will conduct testing for passengers going to China at the specified time and place in accordance with the requirements of the Consulate General, and work with Chinese volunteers to strictly verify the ID information and supervise the whole process. Meanwhile, the testing providers are required to continue to share information with the Consulate General, and adopt Chinese testing equipment and testing standard to improve accuracy.
The representatives of the three testing providers stated that they will carefully review the COVID-19: Laboratory Testing Guideline of China to sort out their similarities and differences in the testing methods, and use the kits produced by China to be in line with the Chinese standards. Meanwhile, they will designate special areas in their institutions for the testing for passengers going to China. They will have their Chinese staff work with Chinese volunteers to make more effort to verify the ID information of Chinese passengers. All the testing providers are willing to further cooperate with the Consulate General to ensure the health and safety of passengers and effectively reduce imported cases.
