East China's Shandong province has strengthened epidemic prevention and control measures after three provinces reported confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.

The working group of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee responsible for epidemic response issued a notice on June 14 that called for enhanced efforts to prevent and control the epidemic.

The working group pointed out that supervision, inspection and quarantine of imported seafood will be stricter in the province. Local health authorities will also collect environmental samples and perform disinfection of market areas and conduct nucleic acid testing and antibody detection for those working in such areas.

All those returning from medium- and high-risk regions in Beijing such as Xicheng, Fengtai and Fangshan districts since May 30 will have to serve a 14-day quarantine at a central facility and undergo nucleic acid testing.

People who have had close contact with confirmed cases or have been to the markets related to confirmed cases will be subjected to stricter measures – they must first serve a 14-day quarantine at a designated medical facility before undergoing another seven days of quarantine at home. They must each also receive three nucleic acid tests.

Shandong has also heightened its community management as well as epidemic prevention and control protocols in key institutions such as hospitals, clinics and schools.

The province will continue to detect and screen cases in a timely manner so as to safeguard lives, local authorities said.