The overwhelming majority of foreign nationals in Guangdong recognize the province's efforts and outcomes in fighting COVID-19, and have actively cooperated with the epidemic prevention and control measures in Guangdong, Chen Qiuyan, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province (GDFAO), said at the 53rd press conference of Guangdong's fighting against COVID-19 on April 12.

The 53rd press conference of Guangdong's fighting against COVID-19.

Chen stated that Guangdong always attaches great importance to the safety and health of foreign nationals in the province. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, Guangdong Province has treated all Chinese and foreign nationals from all countries equally, and unveiled a series of virus containment measures.

Chen Qiuyan, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province. [Photo by Cao Yaqin]

GDFAO has issued letters to all foreign nationals in the province in multilanguages, timely introducing the latest policies on entry quarantine, community-level containment measures, and also reminding them to take care of their own health.

GDFAO also opened a 24-hour multilingual advisory service hotline to promptly answer foreigners' queries about epidemic prevention. So far, nearly 9000 calls have been received, most of which were about quarantine measures and entry policies.

Chen said that GDFAO has strengthened its communication with all 65 foreign Consulates General in Guangzhou, sharing the latest progress on epidemic prevention and control in the province through online and offline briefings and meetings. Problems reported by the consulates were timely responded. Incidents and misunderstandings about foreigners being denied free movement in some public venues and residential areas were properly handled.

GDFAO insists that consulates should urge their nationals to strictly abide by Chinese law and local epidemic prevention regulations.

According to Chen, GDFAO also works closely with education and health departments to provide necessary help to foreign nationals in Guangdong and makes every effort to meet their living, epidemic control and medical needs .

Guangdong has made an all-out effort to treat the confirmed cases of foreign nationals, who expressed sincere thanks to the local authorities after pulling through. Some of their home governments, embassies and consulates also extended gratitude to Guangdong for its humanitarian treatment and care in letters to GDFAO.