Zhejiang authorities recently decided to step up the supervision of cold-chain food across the province in an effort to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

The entire province will implement a new registry system for cold-chain food currently in stock, a declaration system for newly stocked cold-chain food, and an accountability system for the first link in the cold chain. All cold-chain food imported after May 1, 2020 must include a source-tracing QR code on its package.

All business operators involved in the early stages of the cold chain, large and medium-sized department stores and supermarkets, fresh-produce e-commerce outlets, and key food manufacturers involved in refrigeration storage must complete a letter of commitment and release it to the public. The businesses must promise to take COVID-19 prevention measures at their workplaces.

Relevant government departments in the province will establish a mechanism for coronavirus-related source-tracing and retroactive investigation. If any cold-chain food within or outside Zhejiang is determined to be contaminated with the coronavirus, the province is required to trace the origins of the food within two hours. Inspections and nucleic acid tests should then be conducted immediately.