Bureau of Foreign Affairs - A Letter to All Expats in Dongguan

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A Letter to All Expats in Dongguan

In response to the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Guangdong Province has activated a Level I public health emergency response since 23rd January. Dongguan Municipal Government has mobilized resources and is engaging in prevention and control efforts. Your health and confidence are important to us, so we are reaching out to you. We recommend the following practices to all of Dongguans international residents:

I. Do not trust unverified information. Follow official updates only. Follow DG_WJJ and dgjkzx (official WeChat accounts run by Dongguan Health Bureau and Dongguan Center for Disease Prevention and Control) for the most recent updates. Check out the list of designated hospitals in Dongguan, and look for prevention and treatment guides. If you have any questions, please call the inquiry hotline: 12345 (Dongguan Municipal Government Hotline).

II. Increase prevention and self-protection. Keep good hygiene by washing your hands often with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer. Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or your flexed elbow. No spitting. Dispose of used masks appropriately. Maintain proper ventilation and keep rooms clean. Avoid close contact with wild animals or birds; eggs and meat must be thoroughly cooked before consumption. The general guidelines for avoiding cold viruses apply to coronavirus: get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly to maintain your health.

III. Minimize outdoor activities. Avoid crowded places, parties and group activities. Correctly wear a mask (preferably, a surgical mask) if you have to go and attend one. Wear a surgical mask when going out and change it every four hours. Staff members from shopping malls, marketplaces, hotels and buses should wear masks. If you have mild to severe respiratory symptoms of fever, cough, breathing difficulty, or fatigue, please go to a designated hospital with a mask on.

IV. Join in our mass prevention and control efforts. If you have been to the infected areas and returned to Dongguan within 14 days, or if you contacted people who are from the epidemic area, please monitor your health condition closely, stay at home, and timely report to local Disease Control authorities or designated departments. Please cooperate with government or community personnel or medical staff if they inquire about your condition. Feel free to contact Dongguan Center for Disease Prevention and Control (during working hours) at 0769-22625392 or the 24-hour emergency hotline of each township (see annex).

We appreciate your support and cooperation and wish you good health and a happy lunar New Year.

Dongguan Bureau of Foreign Affairs

January 29th, 2020

Source: Dongguan Bureau of Foreign Affairs

Editor: Crystal H

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