No coronavirus infection through Chinese imports — Officials

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Feb. 14 (EMN): Amid the growing novel coronavirus scare across the world and now even in Nagaland, many users on social media are concerned if the disease can be contracted through  Chinese shipments that arrive in the state through various online shopping sites.

“Even surgical masks made to protect you from coronavirus are made in China,” a user on a popular social networking site wrote.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, State Nodal Officer (IDSP), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nyan Kikon said that there is no evidence that packages arriving from China are carrying the virus. “The coronavirus cannot be contracted with the importing of products from China; the virus does not live long,” Kikon maintained.

Even though big brands like Apple and Ikea have shut stores across China in the wake of the virus, other shipments from China are still arriving.

Director of Dimapur airport, Mughavi Zhimo said that cargoes arriving in Dimapur are ‘properly checked and surveyed at international ports’.

“Dimapur is not an international port; proper checking and surveillance is done before arriving in Dimapur,” assured Zhimo.

In this regard, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, in its website, has stated that because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is very low risk of it spreading from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.

The World Health Organisation had also cited tests that showed coronaviruses “do not survive long on objects.”

It maybe be mentioned that leader of the opposition, TR Zeliang had also raised concern about contracting the disease through parcels and clothes coming from China, at the ongoing NLA session.  Minister for Health and Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom had responded that the virus cannot spread through packages of clothing and parcels.