A letter to all foreign friends in Taiyuan

Dear foreign friends in Taiyuan,

In order to curb the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Shanxi province has activated Level I Public Health Emergency Response since 25th January. The CPC Taiyuan Committee and Taiyuan Municipal People's Government attach paramount importance to the situation and have made unified arrangement and deployment of resources. Prevention and control work is being conducted in a well-managed and orderly way. Hereby we recommend the following practices to all foreign friends in Taiyuan.

I. Follow official information release. Visit the official website of Taiyuan Municipal Health Commission or follow "太原健康官微" (the official WeChat account run by Taiyuan Municipal Health Commission) for the epidemic updates, the list of designated hospitals in Taiyuan, and prevention and control guide. You can also call the government service hotline 12345 for inquiry.

II. Strengthen prevention and self-protection. Keep good hygiene by washing hands often with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer. Drink plenty of water. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or with flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing. No spitting. Dispose of garbage properly and dispose of used face masks properly according to instructions. Air rooms properly, clean houseware every day and sanitize them regularly, and keep rooms clean. Avoid close contact with any wild animals or birds. Cook eggs and meat thoroughly. Avoid crowded places, gatherings, parties and other group activities. Wear face mask correctly when going out.

III. Take isolation and prevention measures. If you have stayed in or travelled to the areas of major epidemic outbreaks, or if you have been in close contact with people returning from those areas who are suffering from respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough, please stay at home and monitor your health condition for 14 consecutive days, starting from the last day of your stay in the contaminated areas or the last day you had close contact with a suspected carrier. Please cooperate with government or community staff or medical staff if they inquire about your condition.

IV. Go to a designated hospital in time.The major symptoms of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) include fever, fatigue and cough. Upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal obstruction or running nose are rarely seen. For some patients, the symptoms begin mildly, even without a fever. If you have respiratory symptoms such as fever or cough, please go to the fever clinic of the nearest hospital designated by Taiyuan Municipal Health Commission with a mask on and do not go to other departments of the hospital.

Foreign Affairs Office of Taiyuan Municipal People's Government

January 29, 2020