National crackdown on illegal epidemic-related activity continues
By Yang Zekun | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2021-08-18 16:48
Public security organs nationwide are continuing a tough crackdown on illegal activities related to the epidemic, with 1,054 criminal cases investigated and 1,785 people penalized during the past month, the spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday.
Spokesman Li Guozhong said that public security authorities are cracking down on illegal activities such as hindering the prevention and control of infectious diseases, fabricating and distributing false information, and refusing to cooperate with tests, quarantine or treatment.
In addition, the production or sale of substandard masks and other anti-epidemic materials or the disposing of medical waste in illegal ways is also being targeted to maintain epidemic prevention and control order, Li said
"We have promoted prevention measures and implemented territory-based management, and actively investigated and resolved conflicts related to the epidemic at the grassroots level," he said.
So far, a total of 230 large scale activities have been canceled in 23 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and another 174 have been postponed. Jiangsu province, which was severely affected by the recent outbreak, has suspended the operation of more than 45,000 mahjong and card rooms, according to the ministry.
Li added that public security organs have also strengthened cooperation with health, industry and information technology departments to optimize working mechanisms, and support epidemic prevention and control in a more precise fashion.
Since July 20, about 200,000 police officers across the country have been deployed to ensure the security and order of designated hospitals and centralized quarantine premises, and assist in the verification, search and transfer of confirmed and suspected cases and their close contacts.
In addition, about 115,000 officers have been deployed at 80 checkpoints around Beijing since Aug 1, and have inspected over 12 million people and 6 million vehicles. They also detained 1,171 people on epidemic-related grounds.
