On May 15, 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 Leading Group of the CPC Central Committee for COVID-19 Response, presided over a meeting of the Leading Group.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy head of the Leading Group of the CPC Central Committee for COVID-19 Response, attended the event.

The meeting pointed out that we must earnestly implement the spirit of the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee chaired by General Secretary Xi Jinping, and in accordance with the deployment of the Leading Group of the CPC Central Committee for COVID-19 Response, continue to strengthen and refine efforts to prevent imported cases and curb domestic resurgence. We should enhance targeted prevention and control measures for key regions, key industries, and key populations, promptly identify and address vulnerabilities, leave no potential risk unattended, and resolutely prevent the emergence of new outbreak hotspots. At the same time, we must coordinate efforts to maintain regular epidemic prevention and control measures and fully restore normal production and living order.

The meeting pointed out that the overall epidemic situation nationwide is currently stable. However, sporadic cases have recently emerged in some regions, and cluster outbreaks have occurred in Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Wuhan. The task of preventing a resurgence of the epidemic remains daunting and arduous, and we must never let our guard down. Relevant local authorities should strengthen epidemic prevention and control measures, identify and address any loopholes in the防控 system, and carry out thorough epidemiological investigations to promptly pinpoint the sources of infection. It is essential to trace every close contact and manage them appropriately, thereby cutting off transmission routes. Furthermore, community-based防控 measures must be further reinforced and refined to resolutely prevent the spread and expansion of the epidemic. The liaison group of the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism, working groups dispatched by relevant departments, and experts from medical and disease-control institutions should intensify their guidance and coordination efforts. In response to the detection of asymptomatic infections in multiple regions, screening for asymptomatic carriers must be stepped up, and all cases must be rigorously re-examined according to established standards. Those meeting the criteria for confirmed cases must be immediately isolated and treated in accordance with regulations. Infection-control measures in medical institutions must also be strengthened to ensure that no gaps exist in the防控 efforts.

The meeting called for all regions to remain constantly vigilant in epidemic prevention and control, refine and enhance routine, targeted prevention and control measures for resuming work, production, business operations, and schooling, and release epidemic information truthfully, openly, and transparently. Concealment, underreporting, or delayed reporting of epidemic data is strictly prohibited, and efforts must be made to prevent cluster outbreaks. We should accelerate efforts to boost testing capacity and expand the scope of testing, with particular emphasis on strengthening the research, development, and production of more accurate, convenient, and rapid testing equipment and reagents, as well as intensifying training for testing personnel. We should also actively promote the research and development of vaccines and pharmaceuticals. It is essential to carefully study targeted measures for epidemic prevention and control during the summer months and provide thorough guidance on personal protective measures. Given that some countries are now considering gradually easing restrictive measures, we need to closely monitor changes in the overseas epidemic situation and adapt accordingly to the potential increase in cross-border travel and economic cooperation, while continuing to optimize measures aimed at preventing the importation of the virus.

The meeting pointed out that all regions should summarize and promote effective practices for resuming work, production, and business operations under the framework of regular epidemic prevention and control, ensure smooth domestic personnel flows and the circulation of the economy, and actively and orderly facilitate the full reopening of various shopping malls, markets, and lifestyle service industries. It also emphasized the need to coordinate and resolve bottlenecks and disruptions in industrial and supply chains, thereby boosting economic recovery and striving to minimize the impact of the epidemic on the economy and society.

Members of the leading group—Ding Xuexiang, Huang Kunming, Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie, and Zhao Kezhi—attended the meeting.