Regulator tries to iron out logistics problems

In a move to improve the nation's logistics, China's transport regulator has banned local governments and checkpoints from blocking the road network or ordering additional nucleic acid tests for truck drivers.

The measure aims to ensure the smooth operation of the road network and important logistics hubs such as Shanghai Port, Wu Chungeng, head of the Ministry of Transport's road bureau, said on Tuesday in Beijing.

According to the ministry, truckers with negative nucleic acid test results within 48 hours, a green health code and normal body temperature should be allowed to pass interprovincial checkpoints.

The truck drivers are also required to stay in a closed management loop.

If their nucleic acid test results are older than 48 hours when the truckers arrive at destinations, an additional antigen test and a nucleic acid test can be carried out, and if the result is negative, the truckers should be allowed to carry on their way at once, the ministry said.

The ministry has also promoted the use of nationally recognized traffic permits that have a unified format, are easy to apply for and accepted by local governments as well as all checkpoints along the way.

Wu said Shanghai Port has arranged for 25,000 workers to enter the port zone for closed-loop management to ensure the smooth flow of logistics.

The port has been rated the world's largest container port for 12 consecutive years, according to Alphaliner, a global shipping consultancy. Container throughput volume exceeded 47 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2021.

China is grappling with its worst COVID-19 outbreak since early 2020. From March 1 to Monday, the Chinese mainland reported 497,214 local COVID-19 infections in all provincial level regions except the Tibet autonomous region. Shanghai is one of the hardest-hit cities in the latest outbreak and has experienced a citywide lockdown since late March. Concerns have been raised that the lockdown may hinder industrial production and shipments.

China's logistics system is heavily reliant on road transportation. Supply crunches are being caused in some areas by stringent anti-COVID travel and testing requirements, suspended expressway services and traffic congestion around roadside testing sites.