Chinese authorities say no evidence yet shows virus is host in salmon, but each batch of imported fish still has to be tested

“Salmon is becoming like tonnes of hot potatoes for them, depreciating on a daily basis”.

CGTN writes that Beijing authorities held the 121st press conference and discussed the latest measures to contain a new COVID-19 outbreak in the capital, with more than 100 coronavirus cases reported.

Though the discovery of coronavirus on a chopping board for imported salmon in Beijing, has created major challenges and headaches for salmon exporters.

In a the conference, Shi Quoqing, Deputy Director Emergency Centre, Chinese Centre for Disease and Control, said:

“So far, there is no evidence shows salmon that is a host or intermediate host of the novel coronavirus. However, if you think you are under the risk of exposure to the virus or you had contact with suspected patients or ate suspicious food, you should monitor your health condition and take nucleic acid testing as son as possible,” said Quoqing.

Speaking to the Global Times on Tuesday, a member of staff at  Chinese arm of Norwegian salmon processor Hofseth International said that the salmon-coronavirus incident was “like a splash of cold water”.

General sales manager for the company Eason Li told the publication that all of Hofseth’s clients in China who had not made final confirmations “asked to cancel their orders, while those who had already made orders requested delayed delivery or an adjustment in price”.

“Salmon is becoming like tonnes of hot potatoes for them, depreciating on a daily basis,” said the manager.

Li added that Beijing’s customs have stopped imports of all seafood products and Shanghai has raised quarantine requirements for imported salmon, requiring each batch of imported salmon to be tested for COVID-19.

The prolonged quarantine process will extend the shipping process by about one or two days.

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