作者：马隽、冯雷
新型冠状病毒疫情期间，仍有不少外籍人士在华工作和生活，根据中国外交部通报，截至2月6日，共有19名外籍人士确诊患有新型冠状病毒。那么目前在华外籍人士应如何进行自我防护？其工作应该如何保障？
During the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, many foreigners are still working and living in China. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC's report, as of February 6, a total of 19 foreigners had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. So how should foreigners in China protect themselves? How should their work be guaranteed?
目前，国家移民管理局出台了相关解答：
At present, the National Immigration Administration of PRC has issued relevant answers:
1. 在华停留、居留外国人应当如何配合疫情防控？
答：广大外国朋友增强自我防护意识，尽量不要到人群密集地方活动，采取科学预防措施，主动配合所在社区和单位、接待机构实施疫情防控措施，自觉遵守相关法律法规，服从公安机关、移民管理机构、卫生健康等部门采取的防控管理措施。如出现发热并伴有咳嗽、呼吸困难等急性呼吸道感染症状，应及时报告社区、卫生健康或移民管理机构，积极配合诊治和疫情排查。各级移民管理机构将进一步会同有关部门开展在华外国人防控服务咨询工作，协助医疗卫生机构进行筛查诊治，帮助解决停留居留期间遇到的困难和问题。
Question: What can foreigners do to cooperate during the epidemic prevention and control?
Answer: It is advised that foreign friends enhance sense of self-protection, avoid crowded public places and take effective preventive measures. It is strongly suggested to actively cooperating with local communities and inviting entities to take preventive measures, abiding by relevant laws and regulations and following instructions of public security organs, NIA authorities, hygiene & health authorities. In case of having a fever with symptoms of acute respiratory infection such as cough or breathing difficulties, foreigners should report to the local communities, NIA authorities or hygiene & health authorities and cooperate actively in medical treatment and epidemic control. NIA authorities at all levels will work closely with relevant departments for the epidemic prevention and control to provide consultancy to foreigners, assist in disease screening and diagnosis with medical departments as well as dealing with other difficulties and problems encountered by foreigners during their stay in China.
2. 疫情防控期间外国人是否可以正常出入境？
答：疫情发生后，中国政府采取了一系列的有力应对措施。习近平总书记指出，我们完全有信心、有能力打赢这场疫情防控阻止战。目前，除武汉口岸关闭离汉通道外，我国口岸签证机关仍正常运转，外国人过境免签政策未作调整，各陆、海、空口岸继续对外开放运转，外国人可凭有效的出境入境证件正常出入境。
目前情况下减少人员跨境流动有助于有效防控疫情。外国人可根据实际合理安排来华行程，外国人可继续在华停留居留。对于确需出境的外国人，鉴于部分国家和地区已针对疫情实施相应的入境管制措施，建议提前了解清楚目的地国家或地区对人员入境的规定和做法，避免因无法入境造成费用和时间损失；前往国家、地区允许入境的，应当提前到达出境口岸，留出足够时间接受相关部门检查；已经出现发热并伴有咳嗽、呼吸困难等急性呼吸道感染症状的，不应进行国际旅行，应当立即就近接受诊治，并如实向有关管理人员说明近期活动和密切接触人员等情况，以便有关部门迅速采取排查措施。
Question: Are foreigners allowed to entry or exit as usual during the period of epidemic prevention and control?
Answer: The Chinese government has taken a series of strong measures since the outbreak of pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus. As President Xi Jinping stated, China has full confidence and capability to win the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak. At present, except for the lockdown of the exit channel of Wuhan ports, all port visa agencies are operating as usual. Visa-free transit policy for foreigners are still effective. All land, sea and air ports of China are functioning. Foreigners can enter or exit as usual with their valid international travel documents.
At present, it is helpful to the epidemic prevention and control by reducing cross border movements. Foreigners could make reasonable travel arrangements to China and stay or reside in China as usual. Due to entry restrictions adopted by some countries and regions, it is advised that foreigners who need to exit from China, should learn in advance entry requirements of destination countries or regions to avoid financial and time losses in case of any entry refusals. Those who travel to countries or regions without entry restrictions, are advised to arrive at exit ports well ahead of departure time for necessary checks. Foreigners having fever with symptoms of acute respiratory infection such as cough or breathing difficulties, should avoid international travels and seek immediate medical treatment at the nearest hospitals. Information such as recent activities as well as close contacts should be provided to relevant authorities for any necessary control measures.
3. 疫情防控期间外国人如何办理签证延期、停留居留证件？
答：疫情防控期间，全国公安机关出入境管理部门将继续为外国人提供签证延期和停留居留证件办理服务，保障外国人合法停留居留，对有紧急需要的将加急办理相关证件。为有效避免人员聚集，公安机关出入境管理部门结合实际将安排预约办证服务，外国人可提前联系、合理安排办证时间。对接待外国人较多的高校、科研院所、企事业单位等机构，出入境管理部门将根据办证需求，视情允许代办证件或提供其他必要的办证便利。
Question: How do foreigners apply for visas, stay or residence permits during the period of epidemic prevention and control?
Answer: All exit-entry administration authorities (EEA) in China will be in full service for extension and issuance of visa and stay or residence permits to ensure foreigners' legitimate stay in China. Urgent services for emergency situations will also be provided. To avoid crowds gathering risks, the EEA authorities will make arrangements for services on appointments. Foreigners could make appointments in advance for any applications. For those institutions which host high numbers of foreigners, such as universities, scientific research institutes and business enterprises, the EEA authorities will allow additional agent service or provide other necessary conveniences depending upon the situation
4. 疫情防控期间外国人签证、停居留证件过期怎么办？
答：根据我国出境入境管理法规定，外国人应在签证、停留居留证件到期前出境，需要继续在华停留居留的应当到公安机关出入境管理部门办理签证、停留居留证件延期手续。根据有关法律规定和当前实际，对因疫情防控原因难以按时出境且无法及时办理签证、停居留证件延期手续的，移民管理机构可依法依规视情从轻、减轻或免予逾期居留处罚。
Question: How to deal with the situation that a foreigner’s visa, stay or residence permit expires during the epidemic prevention and control?
Answer: According to Exit and Entry Administration Law of the PRC, foreigners should exit China or apply for extension at the EEA authorities before the visa, stay or residence permit expires. In light of the relevant laws and regulations and current situation, those who are unable to exit as scheduled or extend the visas, stay or residence permits due to the reason of epidemic prevention and control shall be given a lighter or mitigated or be exempted from punishment by the EEA authorities depending upon circumstances.
此外，目前上海12345热线已经开通了外语坐席服务，为在沪的外籍人士群体提供专业服务，目前可提供7个语种的话务服务（英语6人、日语1人、韩语1人、法语2人、德语1人、西班牙语3人、俄语2人）。如果对新型冠状病毒有任何的问题，外籍人士也可通过12345进行咨询。
Besides, the Shanghai 12345 hotline has opened foreign language service to provide professional services for foreigners in Shanghai. Currently, it can provide services in 7 languages (English with 6 staffs, Japanese with 1 staff, Korean with 1 staff, French with 2 staffs, German with 1 staff, Spanish with 3 staffs, Russian with 2 staffs). If foreigners have any questions about the novel coronavirus, they can also consult through 12345.
另外，我们发现目前深圳已经向外籍人士发布了《给深圳市外籍人士关于新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎预防及就诊的倡议》，并公布了49家深圳发热门诊的重点医院。我们希望各地的政府机关也可以及时给予外籍人士相关的指引，方便外籍人士了解预防方法，并在第一时间可以寻找到合适的医院进行治疗。
In addition, we found that Shenzhen has already issued the "Promotions for Prevention and Treatment of Novel Coronavirus Infection Pneumonia to Foreigners in Shenzhen" and announced 49 key hospitals with fever clinics in Shenzhen. We hope that government agencies in various places can also give relevant guidance to foreigners in a timely manner, so that foreigners can learn about prevention methods and find appropriate hospitals for treatment immediately.
