Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

THE Foreign Affairs Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government has established a bilingual information release mechanism and adopted a series of measures to help expatriates in Shenzhen stay informed in the battle against the novel coronavirus, an official said yesterday.

Cai Ying, director with the municipal foreign affairs office, said at a press conference yesterday that the office, in partnership with the city’s heath commission, has been releasing a bilingual bulletin on the epidemic’s status in the city via websites, WeChat accounts and WeChat groups on a daily basis.

So far, six issues of the bulletin have been released.

As there are a large number of expats from Japan and South Korea in the city, the office has also formulated a multilingual version of reminders in Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean for foreigners, which include precautions against the novel coronavirus, help-seeking methods and the addresses of 49 fever clinics.

Meanwhile, a bilingual poster titled “8 Tips to Prevent Novel Coronavirus” has been made and circulated in key areas, especially the Shekou and Zhaoshang subdistricts, where expatriates habitually gather.

A Q&A brochure has also been drawn up by multiple government departments to help expatriates out with any queries regarding the changes in exit and entry policies and remuneration during the extended Spring Festival holiday, according to the office.

“Expat residents can call the government service hotline 12345 or our office’s special hotline 0755-88121224 to inquire about preventing and containing the new coronavirus,” Cai told reporters.

For more English epidemic-related updates, foreigners can visit Shenzhen Government Online (http://www.sz.gov.cn/en/) and the city’s English portal EyeShenzhen (http://www.eyeshenzhen.com/), among other official information sources, Cai said.

The city government’s efforts in releasing information about the epidemic in a timely, open, transparent and responsible manner have won the praises of expatriates in the city.

“Thanks for always helping us so quickly. You help us feel safe, especially in these troubled times,” an expat named Sandie told the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats in a WeChat group.

“Thank you for the government’s attention, thank you for your timely information, thank you very much! I believe that China will get through the difficulties soon,” read another message from a foreigner named Emily.

There are about 30,000 foreigners who have registered their residency status in Shenzhen, the municipal foreign affairs office said.