(Yicai Global) Jan. 5 -- China’s regulators are rolling out additional Covid-19 prevention measures in public spaces to try to contain another possible spike as 33 more cases were confirmed across the country yesterday.

Sixteen of the new cases confirmed yesterday were brought in from abroad and 17 were locally transmitted, the National Health Commission said today.

Shopping malls and supermarkets can refuse entry to customers who do not wear masks, the Ministry of Commerce said on its website today, in a new set of guidelines drawn up on Dec. 31 that cover shopping malls, supermarkets, farmers markets, catering services and exhibition halls.

These shops should scan the health codes and measure the temperatures of all people who enter the premises. Only those with green health codes, normal temperatures and who are wearing masks can enter. They should post staff at entrances to assist the elderly who cannot operate smart phones.

Restaurants should provide chopsticks and spoons for communal use to avoid spreading the virus when sharing dishes, it said. Dining times should not exceed two hours. Takeout meals should be sealed to prevent contamination during delivery.

Employees of cold chain food firms must be vaccinated and take special precautions.

Imported fresh and frozen foods need to have inspection and quarantine certificates, negative nucleic test results, disinfection certificates and full traceability information to take part in exhibitions. They should enter the country through special channels and be stored in designated warehouses with a separate display area from local goods.

Shijiazhuang in northern Hebei province has been named a high danger zone, meaning it will be subject to more stringent testing and isolation measures, the NHC said. There are 48 medium-risk areas to date, including the capital Beijing and Shenyang in northeastern Liaoning province.

Editor: Kim Taylor