Amid the response to the COVID-19 in 2021, Sinopec implemented the guidelines of General Secretary Xi Jinping as well as the arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Sinopec followed a people-centered approach, and carried out measures for pandemic prevention and control; cared for employees at home and abroad; and ensured the supply of materials for pandemic response, thus delivering good outcomes in keeping payrolls and operation stable. Besides, our support for pandemic prevention and control at local levels highlighted our sense of responsibility as a central enterprise.

Targeted arrangements

In 2021, the CPC Leading Group of Sinopec arranged to communicate with front-line officials and employees via video link; and stressed on the need to ensure production safety amid the pandemic response to safeguard lives and health. In March, we worked on pandemic response, creating a favorable environment for the convening of the NPC and CPPCC sessions. On July 30 and August 6, we issued two emergency notices on strengthening pandemic prevention and control. At the end of December, we published notices to address the pandemic around New Year's Day and the Spring Festival, cementing the barriers for pandemic prevention and control.

Stabilizing production

Amid the pandemic in early 2021, more than 7,600 employees worked at over 1,600 gas stations of Hebei Petroleum. Also, more than 1,600 employees at Sinopec Shijiazhuang Refining & Chemical Company, located in a lockdown area, ensured the smooth production. In July, with the outbreaks in Nanjing, Yangzhou and other cities in Jiangsu, Jiangsu Petroleum; Jinling Petrochemical; Yangzi Petrochemical; Sinopec Nanjing Chemical Industries; Sinopec Chemical Commercial Holding Company Limited, Jiangsu Branch; Sinopec East China Petroleum Bureau; Jiangsu Oilfield; Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber and other enterprises responded to the pandemic challenge, achieving zero infection and stable production and operation. In early December, during the 13-day lockdown amid the outbreak in Zhejiang and other provinces, Zhenhai Refining & Chemical, located in the lockdown area, ensured stable operation and zero infections; and Zhejiang Petroleum saw no infections among its 17,000 employees and normal operation of more than 2,000 gas stations. In 2021, enterprises in Guangdong, Northeast China and Fujian, as well as enterprises in the affected areas, such as Yunnan Petroleum; Anhui Petroleum; Hunan Petroleum and Shaanxi Petroleum, launched emergency plans for pandemic prevention and control, while focusing on production, operation, and oil supply. With the growing demand for medical masks and protective suits, Yizheng Chemical Fiber; Shanghai Petrochemical; Zhongyuan Petrochemical and other companies increased raw materials' production and supply.

Supporting local pandemic response

Sinopec has worked hard to support local pandemic prevention and control. Amid the outbreak in Guangzhou in June, 279 gas stations of Guangzhou Petroleum operated around the clock, ensuring that the city's operations, livelihoods and necessities were catered to, by providing fueling and non-oil product sales. In July, during the outbreak in Nanjing, the Jinling Petrochemical Youth Jinling Volunteer Service Team participated in the volunteer services at nucleic acid testing sites in the Nanjing Economic and Technological Development Zone. Nanjing Petroleum provided 7,000 medical masks; 3,800 pairs of gloves; N95 masks; disinfectants; thermometers and other materials to support the pandemic response in the high-risk areas. Also, more than 200 gas stations in Nanjing ensured supplies; and nine key gas stations provided green channels and special fueling machines for medical and police vehicles.

A worker at the Sinopec Suzhou Petroleum Huani Gas Station refuels a medical vehicle​​

Overseas pandemic response

In the context of the severe and complex overseas pandemic, Sinopec adjusted its prevention and control priorities, intensified its efforts, improved measures, and implemented the "3345" guideline. We strengthened our overseas pandemic response system, mainly focusing on regular prevention and control; material supply and logistics support; emergency response; derivative risk prevention; work shifts and staggered holidays, and stabilized payrolls. We also enhanced major links such as front-end and remote control of cross-border flow of personnel as well as vaccination. In so doing, we strengthened overseas medical security and emergency capacity building; implemented video inspection as well as supervision and inspection; and coordinated the overseas pandemic response and business development. In 2021, our overseas projects saw no infections, and overseas Chinese employees were fully vaccinated. In addition, we ensured work shifts and staggered holidays for overseas employees through multiple channels such as independent charter flights; joint charter flights and commercial flights, thus supporting the smooth conduct of our international operations.​