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Photo: Seafood from Norway
Salmon suppliers say China has halted imports after virus found at Beijing market
NORWAY
Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 16:00 (GMT + 9)
China has halted imports of salmon after the discovery of the novel coronavirus at a Beijing wholesale market, fish farmers Norway Royal Salmon and Bakkafrost told Reuters on Monday (June 15).
 "We can't send any salmon to China now, the market is closed," Regin Jacobsen, CEO of Oslo-listed Bakkafrost, said.
Shares in major producers including Norway's Mowi, Norway Royal Salmon and Salmar, as well as Bakkafrost of the Faroe Islands, were down by 5-7% in early trade.
Hong Kong health authorities have taken salmon samples for testing after Covid-19 was detected on chopping boards used for cutting the fish in Beijing.
The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it had immediately taken salmon samples from import and wholesale levels for testing as a precautionary measure.
Chinese media are alarming buyers with different news
According to current scientific information, there is no evidence indicating that humans can be infected by the virus through food, including aquatic products.
.jpg) ►The shares values of salmon companies that are publicly traded have started to fall (Photo: MOWI ASA)
On Monday, Beijing authorities reported 49 new cases, 36 of which were linked to the Xinfadi seafood market. The virus was found on chopping boards in the market, which was closed on Saturday.
The Food and Health Bureau, meanwhile, argued yesterday it is not yet the time to launch a phone-mounted QR code system between Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong to waive a mandatory 14-day quarantine of select travelers between the three regions.
Chui Tak-yi, the undersecretary for food and health, said in a Legislative Council subcommittee meeting on Covid-19 measures that the three administrations had drafted the system but need to consider capacities and affordability for travelers before setting a timetable.
Source: Reuters
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