China intensifies holiday public health measures

BEIJING - The National Health and Family Planning Commission on Wednesday called for "timely, scientific and effective" public health emergency measures in preparation for upcoming holidays.    

In a Wednesday statement, the commission urged local health  departments and managers of various public venues to prepare for  potential health emergencies by arranging duty personnel and  monitoring health risks.    

The statement came ahead of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 19 this year, and the National Day Holiday in early October.    

The statement identified hotels, large shopping malls and supermarkets, cinemas and other major public venues as the main  targets for supervision.    

The statement listed key health check targets such as disinfection chambers, sterilization of daily necessities, ventilation facilities and indoor air quality.    

According to the commission, problems uncovered during the  checks should be corrected before a certain deadline, and those  responsible will be punished if they fail to resolve the problems.