In the Chinese port city of Xiamen, not only the fishermen but also fish, crabs and shrimp have to be tested for the corona virus. The network is amused.
Xiamen – As early as the end of 2019, the Chinese ophthalmologist Li Wenliang was one of the first to recognize the dangers of the corona virus and publicly warned. The Chinese police warned him about spreading “rumors” and the government initially tried to cover up the outbreak. But soon the danger of the corona virus could no longer be denied: China turned around and has since been pursuing a strict zero-Covid strategy with strict measures and tough lockdowns for millions of people. In the port city of Xiamen, even fish now have to undergo a corona test.
Corona tests for fish and crabs: “What comes in has to be tested!”
Videos of fish having their mouths swabbed with a cotton swab in Xiamen have sparked amused comments on the Chinese-speaking web. “I’m laughing my ass off,” said one user. “Do fish breathe through their mouth?” someone asked, since Covid-19 is a respiratory disease. There were also people jokingly asking if parts of the sea would have to go into lockdown if fish tested positive for Covid. Corona tests on crabs and shrimps could also be seen in some of the videos distributed online. However, some users also commented positively on the measure. “I don’t understand why so many people are making fun of this,” one comment said. “This is about public safety.”
A representative of the Xiamen health department confirmed on Friday the dpa the practice of testing not only the returning fishermen, but also their fish. “Whatever comes in has to be tested.” The Jimei district published the instruction at the end of July because there was a risk of illegal trade with foreign fishermen at sea: “When fishermen and their catch arrive on land, people and goods must be tested.”
Why fish in Xiamen have to be tested for corona
China is pursuing a strict zero-Covid strategy, which is, however, weighing on the economy. The country has sealed itself off completely. Despite the sometimes controversial, harsh measures, the most populous country in the world is currently experiencing a major corona wave because the latest omicron variant is spreading easily.
This means the zero Covid strategy in people’s everyday lives
The few people who are allowed to enter China usually have to stay in a quarantine hotel room for seven days – then under observation for three days. In metropolises with millions of inhabitants, people usually have to be tested every three days. Proof of the negative test in the Corona app on the cell phone is necessary in order to be allowed into shops, markets or your own residential complex at all. Also, people using the app have to check in everywhere to enable contact tracing. Anyone who is identified as a contact person or has been in a “risk area” must isolate themselves. Anyone who is positive goes to the hospital. In cases of infection, entire neighborhoods are cordoned off. In the spring, for example, residents of Shanghai were not allowed to leave their homes for two months.
The Beijing Health Commission reported more than 500 new infections and more than 2,000 asymptomatic cases on Friday. The tropical island of Hainan is particularly affected, where tens of thousands of holidaymakers are currently stuck. The Xiamen Marine Development Bureau told the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports that the coronavirus may have been brought to Hainan by fishermen who may have come into contact with foreign colleagues at sea. “We are not the only place that does this,” it said about the corona tests on fish and fishermen. “We learned the lesson from Hainan, where there was a major outbreak.” In March there was SCMP according to corona tests on fish in Shanghai.
According to the The World Health Organization initially gave no indication of thisthat the coronavirus can be transmitted via food or packaging. That Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) also noted that there have been no documented cases so far that have indicated a corona infection in people through the consumption of contaminated food or objects. “However, transmission through smear infections via surfaces contaminated with viruses cannot be ruled out,” the BfR continues (dpa/bme).
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