Measures taken to supply Shanghai necessities

China will spare no effort in ensuring the continued supply of daily necessities while maintaining COVID-19 prevention and control measures, Li Danghui, an official with the Ministry of Commerce, told a news conference at the State Council's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism on Tuesday.

Local commercial authorities are urged to supervise prevention measures at enterprises nationwide, such as markets and hotels, and to keep a close eye on the health of key groups, Li said, adding that timely market monitoring and daily reports of supplies of daily necessities like grain, edible oils, meat and vegetables should be made.

"We have arranged for the manpower to connect large agricultural wholesale markets and warehousing and logistics centers, especially in key areas of epidemic control," she said, adding that supply alerts have been released in a timely manner.

The ministry has helped Shanghai establish contactless transportation transit stations for daily necessities in surrounding areas and clear blockage points in cross-regional transportation to ensure the stable supply of goods, she added.

Large businesses are encouraged to increase the dispatch and supply of daily necessities in key areas. Large-scale supermarket chains should properly gage market demand, extend business hours and increase stocks to cover needs.