At present, the epidemic situation of new coronary pneumonia has continued to develop overseas, and the changes in the epidemic situation in South Africa have also received much attention. As of April 14, local time, South Africa had a total of 2415 confirmed cases and a total of 27 deaths. In response to the increasingly serious epidemic, the South African government announced on April 10 that it would continue the extension of the 21-day "blockade order" for 14 days.

ChinaNews.com and ChinaQiaowang.com interviewed Li Nan, Chargé d’ affaires of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, and Zhu Yiyuan, executive deputy director of the South African Chinese Police and Civilian Cooperation Center. They asked them to introduce the current situation of epidemic prevention and control in South Africa Things to be aware of during the "blockade".

What are the infection status and living conditions of overseas Chinese and overseas students in South China?

"So far there has been no case of infection by Chinese compatriots, and there has not been a case of imported Chinese citizens in South Africa." Li Nan said that South Africa is one of the countries with the largest number of overseas Chinese in Africa. At present, everyone can basically achieve scientific and rational anti-epidemic. Emotions are also very stable.

According to Li Nan, South Africa ’s national ban will continue until the end of April. Except for some industries permitted by local laws, most of the industries engaged by overseas Chinese have been closed and schools have been closed. Everyone is strictly isolated at home.

On the 4th and 1st local time in Johannesburg, South Africa, there was almost no traffic on William Nickle Street. Affected by the epidemic, South Africa has implemented a nationwide "closure". China News Agency reporter Wang Xishe

Li Nan said that at present, the local supply of living materials is relatively sufficient, and the government has also taken measures to combat hoarding and price hikes to ensure the normal order of life of the people.

What kind of help does the embassy provide to overseas Chinese and international students?

Since the outbreak, the Chinese embassy and consulate in South Africa immediately launched an emergency plan to provide assistance to overseas Chinese and international students.

Li Nan said that the embassy timely translated the epidemic report issued by the South African Ministry of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, and pushed it every day through the embassy ’s website, WeChat account, and overseas Chinese contact group. "This will help alleviate anxiety and panic and maintain a rational and objective attitude towards the epidemic."

The embassy pushes the confirmed cases of South Africa daily.

In addition, the embassy also coordinated the South African Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Police Higher Education Department and other departments to help overseas Chinese solve problems such as visa expiration, difficulty in seeking medical treatment, business safety, and schooling, and urged the South to assist overseas Chinese to solve practical difficulties.

The embassy and consulate also established a close cooperation mechanism with the South African Ministry of Health and the South African Institute of Infectious Diseases and other institutions, and maintained close communication with some local hospitals to ensure that Chinese citizens can be treated as soon as they become ill.

"We are working hard to coordinate materials from China for overseas Chinese, gapped masks for foreign students, disinfection water, etc." Li Nan said that the embassy and consulate also actively helped local overseas Chinese business enterprises and mask manufacturers to expand production capacity and accelerate the production of masks and other materials to meet The needs of overseas Chinese.

What kind of help can overseas Chinese and international students seek from the South African Chinese Police Center?

Zhu Yiyuan introduced that there are 13 Chinese police-civilian cooperation centers in 9 provinces of South Africa. Since the outbreak, the center has actively cooperated with the Chinese embassy and the local government to do a good job in anti-epidemic work. "When compatriots in China encounter unfair treatment or even threaten their lives and property, they can contact the police-civilian cooperation center."

"Just yesterday, a large-scale riot broke out in Mandela Bay, and a Chinese shop was affected." Zhu Yiyuan said that the local Chinese police and civilian cooperation center contacted the South African police to understand and rescue the scene and rescued three Chinese citizen.

Contact details of the South African Chinese Police and Civilian Cooperation Center.

In response to changes in the security situation during the national blockade, the South African Chinese Police and Civilian Center also deployed 20 armed security guards to the central office area of ​​Johannesburg and Chinatown, where Chinese people gather, to handle various emergencies for Chinese and overseas Chinese at any time.

What if the overseas Chinese and foreign students in South Africa are diagnosed?

"The embassy and consulate separately formulated relevant work plans for Chinese and overseas Chinese, Chinese-funded enterprises, and international students in South Africa." Li Nan said that the plan is at my disposal, I hope that I can't use it, but the plan is established, and the plan is invalid. , We still have to be prepared to deal with the worst.

According to Li Nan's introduction, once the overseas Chinese and overseas students in South Africa are diagnosed, they can seek help in the following ways:

1. Call the 24-hour hotline 0800029999 of the South African Institute of Infectious Diseases to obtain professional medical services;

2. Call the 24-hour hotline of the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in South Africa for help;

3. Contact the nearest Chinese police and civilian cooperation center for help;

4. International students can get help through their school.

What should be paid attention to in the lives of overseas Chinese and overseas students during the "ban" period in South Africa?

Li Nan reminded that during the national “blockade” period, overseas Chinese and international students should strictly abide by the regulations of their homes. Only medical treatment and the purchase of daily necessities can be allowed to leave the residence for a short time, and must pay attention to the preservation of shopping vouchers. say clearly.

On the 4th and 1st local time, in a supermarket in Johannesburg, South Africa, all items that are not included in the list of required goods stipulated by the South African government are listed as "prohibited to purchase" and sealed. China News Agency reporter Wang Xishe

The second is to suspend all business activities that have not been approved by the government. Only food, agriculture, oil, and epidemic prevention materials and other basic livelihood security industries can operate after applying for a license from the South African company and the Intellectual Property Commission.

"At present, the South African government has stepped up the screening of community outbreaks, and health workers will come to the door to do virus testing. Please confirm the other party's identity and actively cooperate with the relevant testing." Li Nan reminded that it must cooperate with law enforcement departments. When encountering inspections by law enforcement personnel such as the National Defense Forces, police, labor, and health, please do not panic and actively cooperate. If you encounter unfair treatment, you must also defend your rights rationally.

In addition, Zhu Yiyuan specially reminded that overseas Chinese businessmen in South Africa should follow the local labor laws, "Everyone cannot arbitrarily dismiss workers. If the business of small and medium-sized enterprises is affected, they can apply for subsidies from the Ministry of Labor; The actual situation of the enterprise grants a certain percentage of living allowance to employees. "

What is the focus of the embassy's next work?

Li Nan said, "We will continue to urge the South African Police Department, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Health and other departments to pay attention to the safety and needs of Chinese citizens and ensure the lives and health of the overseas Chinese."

In addition, the embassy will continue to coordinate anti-epidemic materials from within the country. "These goods are arriving one after another these days. We will promptly distribute them to various overseas Chinese groups and international student organizations."

"We will continue to support overseas Chinese groups, overseas Chinese clubs, Chinese-funded enterprise associations, Chinese police and civilian centers, and international student groups to provide necessary assistance in policy guidance, material security, communication and coordination." Li Nan emphasized that protecting the health of Chinese compatriots Harmony and safety are always the top priorities of the embassy and consulate.

Text: Wu Kan