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Let’s Get Back to Work

Apr 08-2020   



Over two months have passed since the outbreak of the epidemic and the current situations prove the reliability and effectiveness of China’s quarantine measures. As domestically originated new cases have all but disappeared and not a single case has been registered in some regions, it’s time to speed up the resumption of work, says Prof. Yao Yang, Dean of he NSD, in a commentary for The Beijing News.

 

Major projects nationwide, excluding Hubei Province, had seen 89.1% of resumption rate, according to an announcement by the National Development and Reform Commission on March 31. Yet the level of activity varies across industries and regions. Large manufacturers fare rather well, while small and medium-size enterprises lag far behind. The service industry has the longest road to go, with an estimated resumption rate of less than 50%.

 

Given the tough prospect for export, domestic demand – the service industry in particular – will be a major driving force for economic growth in the second quarter. The value added of the service industry accounts for 55% of China’s GDP and is critical to the sales of manufactured products.

 

To quicken the steps towards normalcy, medical experts should be invited to teach the public about rational ways of disease prevention. It will also help build public confidence if officials take the lead in shopping, eating out, and removing masks in meetings.

 

Moreover, governments at all levels should perhaps change tact and ditch the “no new cases” goal; instead, sporadic cases should be tolerated. To continue the heightened quarantine is unnecessary in current situations where only sporadic cases are reported. Without a vaccine, it’s not fully possible to root out new cases; on the other hand, strict quarantine is causing ever more severe economic losses. By balancing the pros and cons, the best choice now is to prioritize resumption of work and allow for sporadic new cases.

 

The 14-day quarantine measure has been one of the major obstacles for the resumption of work. As Hubei and Wuhan open up, all provinces are advised to ensure transition to normalcy by using the Green Code, i.e. proof of health, as reference to facilitate workers’ transportation and business travels.

Let’s Get Back to Work

Apr 08-2020   



Over two months have passed since the outbreak of the epidemic and the current situations prove the reliability and effectiveness of China’s quarantine measures. As domestically originated new cases have all but disappeared and not a single case has been registered in some regions, it’s time to speed up the resumption of work, says Prof. Yao Yang, Dean of he NSD, in a commentary for The Beijing News.

 

Major projects nationwide, excluding Hubei Province, had seen 89.1% of resumption rate, according to an announcement by the National Development and Reform Commission on March 31. Yet the level of activity varies across industries and regions. Large manufacturers fare rather well, while small and medium-size enterprises lag far behind. The service industry has the longest road to go, with an estimated resumption rate of less than 50%.

 

Given the tough prospect for export, domestic demand – the service industry in particular – will be a major driving force for economic growth in the second quarter. The value added of the service industry accounts for 55% of China’s GDP and is critical to the sales of manufactured products.

 

To quicken the steps towards normalcy, medical experts should be invited to teach the public about rational ways of disease prevention. It will also help build public confidence if officials take the lead in shopping, eating out, and removing masks in meetings.

 

Moreover, governments at all levels should perhaps change tact and ditch the “no new cases” goal; instead, sporadic cases should be tolerated. To continue the heightened quarantine is unnecessary in current situations where only sporadic cases are reported. Without a vaccine, it’s not fully possible to root out new cases; on the other hand, strict quarantine is causing ever more severe economic losses. By balancing the pros and cons, the best choice now is to prioritize resumption of work and allow for sporadic new cases.

 

The 14-day quarantine measure has been one of the major obstacles for the resumption of work. As Hubei and Wuhan open up, all provinces are advised to ensure transition to normalcy by using the Green Code, i.e. proof of health, as reference to facilitate workers’ transportation and business travels.