Logistics firms in city act to stop spread of virus

FEDEX said it is taking all prevention and control measures to minimize the COVID-19 risks after one of its staff at the Pudong airport tested positive on Monday.

The US logistics giant said it has been conducting disinfection on inbound shipments and has strengthened the cleaning and disinfection of facilities at all locations including transport hubs and gateways.

“We continue to operate at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the health and safety of our team members and customers is our top priority,” FedEx said yesterday.

The company is supplying surgical masks, hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes to employees and vendors. Hand sanitizer and gloves are also offered to couriers every day. All FedEx and vendor employees are checked for temperatures every day before they start work, the company said.

The 36- year- old man surnamed Zhang was among the 17,719 people working at the airport who were tested from Sunday night through Monday.

He worked at the freight station in the West Cargo Terminal of the airport, to which seven COVID-19 cases in Shanghai and one in neighboring Anhui Province were connected.

FedEx said Zhang is in quarantine and receiving treatment.

“We are taking all necessary precautions and following guidance from local authorities in terms of prevention and control of COVID-19 to minimize possible risks,” it added.

The company’s offices, courier vehicles and facilities will be kept clean with preventive disinfection measures, while social distancing will be ensured at major facilities.

Other major logistic companies operating at the Pudong airport are also strengthening protective measures.

DHL has said it will disinfect imported freight. Nucleic acid testing and disinfection measures are being conducted in cooperation with China Customs, the company told Shanghai Daily.

“The company has released a work safety guideline to all the portal hubs and service centers,” DHL said. “It includes the disinfection of imported aircraft containers, trucks and products as well as prevention measures for staff.”

YTO Express, the Shanghaibased courier firm, said the disinfection and quarantine measures have been applied on all imported parcels.