FAQs for Foreigners on Prevention and Control of 2019-nCoV

Dear foreign friends, 

The outbreak of pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus has become a major concern for all of us recently. Prevention and control of it has become a top priority. On January 23, 2020, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province activated a Level I public health emergency response, following which measures to prevent and control novel coronavirus have been taken according to laws and regulations and in an orderly manner in Shenzhen. For questions you may have, we have referred to the information released by health authorities, human resources authorities, and the National Immigration Administration to come up with a list of answers for your information.

外籍居民朋友们:

近期新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情时刻牵动着每一位市民的心，防控疫情是当前的头等大事。2020年1月23日，广东省人民政府启动了重大突发公共卫生事件一级响应，深圳市新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情防控工作正依法、有序开展。在此，围绕外籍人士普遍关心的疫情有关问题，我们梳理了卫生部门、人社部门和国家移民局等单位的有关资料，供您参考：

1. How to prevent novel coronavirus infection?

-Avoid visiting outbreak areas (Hubei Province in particular)

-Minimize outdoor activities, and wear a mask when you need to go outdoors

-Maintain good ventilation indoors

-Wash hands frequently and maintain good personal hygiene

-Pay special attention to places with high risk of contamination including elevators, doorknobs and toilets

-As part of the prevention and control measures, community staff may contact you for information by phone call or in-person visits. 

Scan the following QR code for more information

一、应怎样预防新型冠状病毒感染？

*避免去疫情高发区（湖北省）

*尽量少出门，外出应佩戴口罩

*加强房间开窗通风

*勤洗手，注意个人卫生

*电梯间、门把手、马桶等，都是需重点关注的易污染区域

*为更好防御疫情，社区工作人员可能会通过电话、上门等方式了解您的有关信息

更多信息，请扫码：

2. What should you do if you recently came to Shenzhen from other regions?

(1) If you came from Hubei Province or made a transit in Hubei Province

-Please make a note of the time and detailed information of the transportation you took (license plate, train or flight number and tickets, seat number, etc.)

-You shall inform the work station of your community, your employer or the hotel you are staying in upon arrival. You are required to undergo a 14-day self-monitored or collective quarantine. Your cooperation with the community staffs, doctors and police officers is highly appreciated.

(2) If you came from other regions

-Please pay close attention to your and family members’ health status. Please avoid gatherings or other group activities within 14 days upon arrival in Shenzhen.

二、如近期您从外地来深该怎么做？

（一）湖北省来深人员或途径湖北中转人员

*请您记录来深的时间、车次（车牌、车票、航班号、座位号）。

*在抵深之日主动向所在社区工作站、工作单位或者入住的酒店等申报，需要对您实施14天的居家隔离或者集中隔离观察，请配合社区工作站工作人员、社康医生和社区民警的疫情防控管理和服务。

（二）其他地区来深人员

*请您每日观察自己及家人的健康状况，自抵深之日起，一般需要观察14天，在此期间避免参加聚会和集体活动。

3. What should you do if you feel unwell? 

-To minimize the chance of cross infection, please first call Shenzhen Family Doctor Center at 400-11-91160 and press 2 for a preliminary consultation. For other inquiries on novel coronavirus, please call government service hotline 12345. 

-If you have symptoms including fever and cough, please wear a mask and go to a nearby hospital with the fever clinic in time. 

-You can go to Peking University Shenzhen Hospital or The University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital for better English services. 

三、如遇身体不适该怎么处理？

*如果您出现身体不适，请先拨打“深圳市家庭医生呼叫平台”（400-11-91160转2）进行线上进行初筛，减少盲目跑医院导致交叉感染的几率。若有关于疫情的其它咨询，您可拨打12345。

*如有发热、咳嗽等症状，请佩带口罩，做好个人防护，及时前往设有发热门诊的医院就医。

*你可选择前往北京大学深圳医院、香港大学深圳医院，以便获得更好的英文服务。

4. How to deal with the medical expenses of foreigners who are diagnosed with pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus infection?

-Medical expenses incurred by foreigners in Shenzhen who are suspected cases or confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus infection and treated at hospitals designated by municipal health authority shall be covered by the medical insurance or the government finance after treatment. Individuals don’t have to pay for the above-mentioned medical expenses.

四、外籍人士的救治医疗费用怎么处理？

确认疑似和确诊为新冠状病毒感染的肺炎患者的在深外籍人士，在市卫生健康行政部门确定的救治医院发生的救治医疗费用,按照先救治后结算的方式，由医保或财政按规定分担，个人无需支付。

5. When will schools and workplaces open after the Spring Festival holiday?

-The People’s Government of Guangdong Province has stipulated that all enterprises should not resume work prior to 24:00 of February 9 except permitted exclusions.

-According to relevant stipulations, from February 3 to 9, enterprises should pay wages to employees in accordance with standards stipulated by the employment contract. Enterprises not applicable to the February 9 work resumption stipulation should pay wages to employees who have been working according to laws and regulations. 

-All kindergartens, primary schools and middle schools shall not open prior to February 17. All universities, colleges, secondary vocational schools and technician schools shall not open prior to February 24. 

五、春节假期后何时开工和开学？

*根据广东省人民政府的有关规定，除特殊情形外，本行政区域内各类企业复工时间不早于2月9日24时。

*2月3日至9日未复工期间，根据广东省相关规定，企业应当按照劳动合同规定的标准支付劳动者工资。符合规定不受延迟复工限制的企业，在此期间安排劳动者工作的，应当依法支付劳动者工资。

*中小学、幼儿园2月17日前不开学，大专院校、中职学校、技工院校2月24日前不开学。

 6. Is exit and entry to China affected during the epidemic prevention and control period?

(1) Can foreigners exit from and enter to China as usual during the epidemic prevention and control period?

-Hong Kong SAR: The Hong Kong SAR has temporarily closed checkpoints in Luohu, Huanggang and Futian. Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Checkpoint are still open. Cross-border ferry services between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province are still provided at Skypier at Hong Kong International Airport but suspended at Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal. The number of flights between Hong Kong and mainland airports has been reduced with flights to and from Hubei Province suspended. 

-Macao SAR: Any non-Macao SAR resident who has visited Hubei Province within 14 days will be asked to provide a certificate issued by a certified medical institution to prove that he/she is free of novel coronavirus infection prior to the entry to Macao SAR. Failing to provide such proof will result in rejection of entry. 

-Transportation channels for exiting Wuhan have been temporarily closed. 

-China’s visa-free transit policy for foreigners remains unchanged. 

-You are advised to reduce or avoid cross-border trips. If there is a must, please check the latest exit and entry control measures of your country/region of destination in advance in order to avoid inconveniences and loss caused be rejection of entry.

六、疫情防控期间出入境是否受影响？

（一）疫情防控期间外国人是否可以正常出入境？

*香港方面，暂停罗湖、皇岗、福田等陆路口岸人员通行，保留深圳湾口岸、港珠澳大桥口岸的正常通行；保留香港机场海天码头的过境航班，香港港澳码头停止粤港客运航线；香港机场与内地机场继续通航，往返航线减少，往来湖北航线全部停止。

*澳门方面，之前14日内曾经到过湖北省的非澳门居民，入境时必须出具由合法医疗机构发出的无感染新型冠状病毒的医生证明书，无上述证明的禁止入境。

*武汉口岸离汉通道暂时关闭。

*外国人过境免签政策未作调整。

*建议避免或减少跨境出行，对于确需出境的外国人，鉴于部分国家和地区已针对疫情实施相应的入境管制措施，建议提前了解清楚目的地国家或地区对人员入境的规定和做法，避免因无法入境造成费用和时间损失。

(2) How can foreigners extend visas and apply for residence permits during the epidemic prevention and control period?

-All Exit and Entry authorities across China will continue to provide visa extension and residence permit application services to ensure your legal stay.

-To avoid gathering, the Exit and Entry Authority of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau will adjust the service time according to appointments. Please make an appointment in advance. 

-The Exit and Entry Authority of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau has launched a 24-hour hotline for foreigners in Shenzhen for inquiries regarding exit and entry document policies and border control measures of different countries and regions. Please dial 0755-84465490 for the updates.

-For foreigners who have submitted their passport for visa or residence permit application and need to shift to express service, please apply to the Exit and Entry Authority via phone. You will be contacted once the document is ready for pick-up. 

（二）疫情防控期间外国人如何办理签证延期、停留居留证件？

*疫情防控期间，公安机关出入境管理部门将继续为外国人提供签证延期和停留居留证件办理服务，保障外国人合法停留居留。

*为有效避免人员聚集，公安机关出入境管理部门结合实际将安排预约办证服务，您可提前联系、合理安排办证时间。

*为方便在深外籍人士咨询了解外国人签证证件办理政策和相关国家（地区）入境管制措施情况，深圳公安出入境在疫情防控期间开通24小时咨询服务热线0755-84465490。

*已将护照递交深圳公安出入境办理签证、停留居留证件的外国人，需要加急办理的可通过咨询电话申请，深圳公安出入境加快办理后将打电话通知申请人前来领取证件。

(3) What if a foreigner’s visa/residence permit expires during the epidemic prevention and control period?

-According to Exit and Entry Administration Law of China, foreigners should exit Shenzhen or apply for extension at the Exit and Entry authorities before the visas/residence permits expire. In light of the relevant laws and regulations and the current situation, those who are unable to exit as scheduled or extend the visas/residence permits due to the reason of epidemic prevention and control shall be given a lighter or mitigated or be exempted from punishment by the Exit and Entry Authority depending upon circumstances.

（三）疫情防控期间外国人签证、停居留证件过期怎么办？

*根据我国出境入境管理法规定，外国人应在签证、停留居留证件到期前出境，需要继续在深停留居留的应当到深圳市公安局出入境管理局办理签证、停留居留证件延期手续。根据有关法律规定和当前实际，对因疫情防控原因难以按时出境且无法及时办理签证、停居留证件延期手续的，公安出入境管理部门可依法依规视情从轻、减轻或免予逾期居留处罚。 

Foreign Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government

Shenzhen Health Commission

Shenzhen Public Security Bureau 

February 5, 2020

深圳市人民政府外事办公室

深圳市卫生健康委员会

深圳市公安局

2020年2月5日