Officials of the Zhanjiang foreign affairs office issue letters of appointment to volunteers. [Photo by Liu Jicheng/Zhanjiang Daily]

A total of 45 volunteers with foreign language skills from all walks of life in Zhanjiang received training and obtained letters of appointment on March 24, marking the formal establishment of a foreign volunteer team in the city that will provide high-quality foreign affairs services during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic prevention and control period.

In order to further make efforts in the prevention and control of inbound cases of COVID-19, the Zhanjiang foreign affairs office recruited volunteers from the public. Hundreds of people from 10 counties (cities, districts) of Zhanjiang with foreign language skills, such as English, Japanese, Korean, French, and Spanish, from all walks of life have signed up in just a few days of recruitment. Most of the volunteers graduated or studied at famous schools at home and abroad, with some even having English-language tour guide certificates and translation certificates.

After telephone interviews and selection, 45 people were chosen to be the first batch of volunteers in Zhanjiang to provide foreign affairs services. Staff members have introduced main tasks and notices, as well as clarified matters like volunteer management and division of labor to the volunteers.

In the future, according to the epidemic situation and work needs, the volunteers will be sent to the front line to cooperate with the health department, public security department, and communities in preventing and controlling imported cases of the epidemic, helping offer foreign-related services and management, including translation services, daily life services for centralized isolation and home isolation, as well as explanation of prevention and control measures.