Chinese courts urged to postpone some enforcement measures for epidemic control

BEIJING -- Chinese courts at various levels will postpone enforcement measures against personnel and units engaging in coronavirus containment, according to a circular.

The circular, issued by the Supreme People's Court, said that enforcement measures including the seizure and freeze of funds and materials earmarked for epidemic prevention and treatment would not be allowed in an effort to ensure the ongoing epidemic control.

For civil cases of wide public concern such as contract disputes and medical disputes, the circular stressed attaching equal importance to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers and safeguarding the healthy development of enterprises.

In those cases, local courts are also asked to strengthen the protection of medical personnel and impose harsh punishment on those who produce or sell shoddy epidemic prevention products.

Urgent cases can be tried only after proper protective measures are taken, and online trials can be held if possible.

The circular covers criminal, civil and administrative matters as well as enforcement and judicial proceedings, among others.