The tagline, “For Peacetime and War” is being applied to a new facility to be constructed near Lukou Airport. And with such a slogan, that can only mean one thing; an enormous quarantine facility. Because the repercussions were it all to happen again cannot be contemplated.
Now publicised seeking public opinion before final approval, the project is intended make up for shortcomings in the epidemic prevention and control undertaken during Nanjing’s recent COVID outbreak.
One of the biggest hurdles faced in late July in Nanjing was implementing centralised quarantine measures for all relevant at-risk personnel in a short period of time. In fact, 5,000 rooms found in surrounding towns were used for airport staff transfer and remote isolation. It was hardly an ideal solution and one that likely exacerbated the outbreak.
During an inspection on 1 August by Xia Xinmin, then Acting Mayor of Nanjing said that he must conscientiously implement the instructions and requirements of the central leadership as to prevention and control of the epidemic.
Said requirements call for one person per quarantine room in the facility. Hence phase one of the centre will occupy a whopping 160,000 square metres, the equivalent of more than 22 soccer fields, enough for 2,000 rooms, reported The Paper yesterday.
On a return visit, Xia also said that Nanjing’s enormous new quarantine centre is also an important window to the world that showcases the city’s level of governance.
Dubbed the “Ningguilai” (宁归来) emergency isolation facility, the project is located off New Energy Avenue (新能源大道), in Zhetang Subdistrict of Nanjing’s Lishui District.
Just 3 kilometres from Nanjing Lukou Airport, the location has been chosen for easy access from the airport along Binhuai Avenue. And that’s important as it is envisioned the centre’s primary temporary residents to be personnel on inbound international flights in meeting the requirements of China’s epidemic prevention.
As implementation of the project involves adjustment of existing plans as to land allocation, etc., so it is publicised by media of record (incl. The Nanjinger), in accordance with the law and due public consultation.
