Yangzhou, with a population of 1.7 million in its main urban area, has improved efforts to ensure the supply of vegetables during the fight against COVID-19, said Huang Weimin, director of the city’s Development and Reform Commission, during a press conference on August 1. 

Yalian Farmers' Market, which supplies 90% of agricultural and sideline products to the main urban area, had 9,000 tons of vegetables in stock and then replenished 1,500 tons on the night of July 31. It distributed 2,000 tons of vegetables on the next day to other markets, much higher than the usual supply of 600-800 tons, in order to cope with the rising demand. Yalian is able to maintain a daily vegetables stock of 9,000-10,000 tons, and residents can be assured that there’s no need of stockpiling, said Huang. 

Huang also introduced measures to facilitate the transportation of daily necessities into the main urban area. He said two exits on two expressways are now designated for vehicles carrying essential commodities and the drivers also need to meet strict health requirements and special permits issued by the COVID-19 response authorities.  

To curb the potential pandemic spread, the city has also introduced a series of measures to regulate the vehicle, transportation procedures, goods unloading and disinfection. Drivers are required to stay in designated sites with their movement under the monitoring until they depart from the expressways.  

Data showed 1,056 vehicles were allowed to enter the main urban area from 3:00 pm on July 31 to 2:00 am on August 1, bringing nearly 10,000 tons of daily supplies.