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Travel permits get containers on the move

Updated : 2022-04-18 (China Daily)

Digital pass allowing truck drivers in Zhejiang to drive between port, cities

Ge Wenguo, a container truck driver in Zhejiang province, recently received a digital travel permit on his smartphone that enables him to drive between cities in the province and have access to the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, the country's busiest port.

"With the travel permit, I've been able to drive to many cities across Zhejiang," said Ge in an interview with China Central Television. "It is accepted by all cities in the province."

The digital travel permit is a key element in ensuring Zhejiang Seaport Group can get logistics from the port moving during the latest outbreaks of COVID-19 in cities including Hangzhou, Ningbo and Jiaxing.

Due to the stringent measures to halt the spread of the virus, such as shutting expressways and setting up roadblocks, many container trucks face restrictions traveling between cities, which results in logistics delays and negatively affects the operations of the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan.

In response, a circular issued by authorities in Zhejiang on April 8 called for balancing epidemic prevention and control measures and the smooth container transportation of the port.

According to the circular, travel permits recognized across the province should be issued.

As a result, Zhejiang Seaport Group launched digital travel permits, which can be applied for by container truck drivers via a smartphone app.

Drivers, who have completed two nucleic acid tests with all results negative within three days of applying, have not traveled to medium or high-risk areas within 14 days, and who present proof of a green health code, can receive a digital travel permit.

All cities in Zhejiang are prohibited from blocking or restricting container trucks with the travel permits.

Zhejiang Seaport Group has also launched its own measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Drivers with the travel permits must take daily nucleic acid tests. And the nucleic acid test results, health codes and itinerary codes are monitored through the app.

A satellite navigation tracking system will also be installed on the trucks.

Drivers who disobey the rules, including having yellow or red health codes, concealing itineraries, refusing to take daily nucleic acid tests, forging test results or refusing to wear masks, will be put on a blacklist.

Once blacklisted, their travel permits will be canceled and their trucks forbidden to enter port areas.

Zhejiang Seaport Group is issuing more than 15,000 digital travel permits per day on average in its attempt to ensure the efficient operation of the port.