The city of Maoming in western Guangdong province is working to help local enterprises resume operation while clamping down on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Since Feb 14, the city has dispatched seven special groups of officials from 18 departments to businesses citywide to help them solve issues that need to be addressed urgently. They have also been helping the businesses in their efforts to combat the epidemic.

The move came after the city issued 10 supportive measures earlier this month to help small and medium-size enterprise (SMEs) and micro businesses resume work, the first of its kind in the province.

"From our investigation in the past few days, we learned that lack of anti-epidemic supplies, transportation problems, short supply of raw materials, and excessive inventory are among the most common problems for enterprises," said Wang Weifeng, chief economist of the industry and information technology bureau of Maoming.

"Difficulties vary from one enterprise to another. We are trying to help them with tailor-made solutions," explained Liang Tianhuan, head of the city's industry and information technology bureau.

Liang cited the work of one of the special groups to solve issues related to the breakdown of telecom services for several enterprises, as an example of balancing anti novel coronavirus efforts with resuming normal work production.

Prior to this, telecom maintenance technicians were barred by local residents for fear of infection from entering areas with telecom system malfunctions.

Liang noted that the special groups will focus on solutions in terms of supply chains, fundraising, raw materials, human resources, and sales, so that more enterprises will be able to begin operation again as soon as possible.

To date, 1,099 out of the 3,112 key enterprises in the city have resumed work.