Monday, May 18, 2020

People's Daily, China: The annual #TwoSessions, the NPC and CPPCC meetings, will kick off this week

People's Daily, China
The annual #TwoSessions, the NPC and CPPCC meetings, will kick off this week. Under #COVID19, how will this year different from previous years? Let’s take a look 

#TwoSessions under #COVID19: Body temperature checks, masks, and nucleic acid tests are the new must-do for delegates
After a delay of more than two months due to the epidemic/pandemic, the National People’s Congress, the top legislature, is set to open its annual session on May 22 while the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body, will hold its annual session starting on May 21. Under #COVID19, this year’s delegates have underwent special procedures and must-do requirements.
Every year, delegates from across China gather in Beijing for the meetings. While security inspection has always been a must-do at the hotels where they reside, this year, they must also have their temperature checked among other things under the epidemic prevention measures.
Leading officials of China’s cabinet departments are usually required to sit in on the meetings during the country’s annual national legislative and political advisory sessions as non-voting participants. However, this year, amid measures aimed at preventing COVID-19 spread, they will teleconference.
Conference rooms will be regularly disinfected so that things like seats and microphones are clean. Assigned drivers are also required to wear masks to prevent any potential virus outbreak.
At restaurants, each table is equipped with only a single chair to prevent gathering. At the same time, disposable gloves, thermometer guns, masks, zipper storage bags, and other protective gear are available, Beijing Youth Daily reported.
Cai Qi, Party chief of Beijing, pointed out that the Two Sessions this year will be held under the special background of epidemic prevention and control, therefore health-monitoring measures will be tightened and related emergency response plans have been improved. (By Dai Xiaoyu)