Shanghai, 10 May – Consul General Josel F. Ignacio joined the Consuls General of the 70-plus consular missions in Shanghai at a virtual briefing on the Shanghai epidemic situation convened by the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) and the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission (SMHC).

SMHC Director WU Jinglei delivered a comprehensive presentation. He covered the origins and trajectory of the BA.2.2 variant-driven COVID-19 epidemic and the city’s responses and measures. Citing the substantial decline in daily cases, he outlined the “next stage” to clear the city of community transmissions and resurgences.

“The ultimate goal is zero COVID in communities as early as possible. With the guidance and leadership of the Central and Municipal government and the cooperation and support of all Shanghai’s citizens, we will see progress and we will see that restrictions will be gradually lifted back toward normal social and economic life”, according to Director WU.

Danish Consul General Jakob Linulf, Dean of the consular corps, spoke on behalf of all missions. He acknowledged the enormous efforts of the Shanghai government to contain the outbreak. He reiterated the readiness of consulates to comply with measures, while also raising shared concerns affecting foreign businesses and expatriate communities.

The FAO thanked all consular missions for their continued understanding, support and cooperation with Shanghai’s efforts to end the outbreak. END