Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

THE city’s quarantine measures remained well implemented despite difficulties the year’s first thundershower posed to police officers, quarantine inspectors, volunteers and couriers working at the frontline of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Thursday.

At the 48 inspection stations on roads into the city, police officers and quarantine inspectors remained busy taking registrations and temperature checks.

To prevent and control the spread of COVID-19, Shenzhen traffic police set up a commando team comprised of 75 members to serve at 48 inspection stations to carry out vehicle checks, registrations, quarantines and traffic guidance.

As a precaution, the Shenzhen police had purchased umbrellas, raincoats and rain sheds to ensure the full range of quarantine measures could be implemented in the event of rain as well as to provide shelter for residents who have to undergo checks.

To relieve a shortage of rain sheds, police held a collection drive asking the public via social media Wednesday to help supply the needed items. By yesterday afternoon, the police had received a total of 157 phone calls including 92 tipoffs providing information on purchasing channels and 65 calls offering donations. Also received were donations of 185 tents, 650 sun umbrellas and 201 cartons of bottled waters. These materials have been sent to inspection stations to serve officers, quarantine inspectors and drivers.

The Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory said the city would embrace the first round of spring rain, the heaviest since October last year, this Thursday and Friday. The rainfall will abate over the weekend. Temperatures will drop to 10-11 degrees Celsius starting from Feb. 16. The cool temperatures will last until Feb. 19.