Chinese govt urges businesses to reopen amid outbreak

The Chinese government has urged business enterprises to reopen as soon as possible amid a continuous increase of the number of infections of a deadly new virus.

The National Development and Reform Commission, China's state planner, said Tuesday that industries of important areas, of the national economy and people's livelihood, should reopen businesses immediately.

Cong Liang, Secretary-General of NDRC, told a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday that despite the risks of further spreading infections, reopening businesses is essential for the supplies of the anti-epidemic campaign.

"It will affect the supply of all kinds of production and life materials and will make control and prevention efforts on the front line unsustainable," Cong said.

He admitted that reopening businesses faced many difficulties, such and shortage of labour and protective equipment.

Ou Xiaoli, Director of Social Development of NDRC, said the government will encourage mask makers to operate at full capacities at a time when the nation had a serious shortage.

"We would encourage them to produce in multi-shifts, two or three shifts a day, so the machine can work around the clock while workers can take breaks," he said. 

According to the NDRC, about 76% of mask makers and 70% of protection suit makers have resumed production.