Table 1 Seven non-drug intervention policies in China

1

Jan 20

Establishing the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism

The National Health Commission led the establishment of a joint prevention and control mechanism composed of 32 departments to cope with COVID-19 epidemic, with working groups such as epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, scientific research, publicity, foreign affairs, logistics support, and forward work.

2

Jan 23

Locking down the worst-hit areas

The government first imposed a lockdown on Wuhan, banned travel to and from Wuhan, suspended all public transportation services in the city, and eventually blocked the entire Hubei Province.

3

Jan 25

Initiating the first-level (highest level) response to public health emergencies

All 30 provinces with confirmed cases initiated the first-level response to public health emergencies, China entered a highly alert state of the national epidemic.

4

Jan 27

Expanding medical insurance coverage to suspected patients

Expanding the coverage of the previous comprehensive guarantee policy for diagnosed patients to suspected patients who meet the diagnosis and treatment guidelines of National Health Commission.

5

Feb 4

Activating makeshift hospitals

Patients with severe to critical COVID-19 received care in Huoshenshan hospital and Leishenshan hospital. Patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who met additional admission criteria were isolated and treated in mobile cabin hospitals.

6

Feb 10

Residential area closed management

Following the closed management of Wuhan’s residential areas, community grid and digital management were implemented nationwide. Lockdown management was conducted in the building units of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients.

7

Feb 12

Counterpart medical assistance

Through “One Province Supports One City”, the entire country supported the epidemic prevention and control in Hubei Province.