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A number of Chinese nationals residing in Singapore have started sending medicines back home due to concerns that their family might not be able to get their hands on such supplies.
China is reportedly facing a surge in cases after it ended its zero-Covid policy abruptly in the wake of widespread protests over extended lockdown measures that have lasted for almost three years since the start of the pandemic.
Parcels might take a month to reach China
According to Lianhe Zaobao, a queue formed outside the Shunxing Express outlet at People's Park Complex in Chinatown on Friday afternoon (Dec. 16).
The company specialises in sending packages between Singapore and China.
Most of the people waiting in line had over 10 boxes to send home. They packed mostly medicines and supplements such as Panadol Cough & Cold, Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang (a popular brand of anti-inflammatory drug), cough syrups and Vitamin C effervescent tablets.
According to a delivery operator who spoke to Zaobao, however, Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) and prescription drugs are not allowed to be mailed.
It might take anytime from between two to four weeks, however, for packages to arrive at their destination in China, as the delivery time depends on the Covid measures in place and customs inspections, among other factors.
"Can't get Panadol in China now"
Zhang Rongrong, a 32-year-old student, told Zaobao that she is sending three parcels containing 18 boxes of Panadol and two bottles of cough syrup over to her parents in Beijing.
"You can't get Panadol in China now," she said. "Even if it takes a month for the parcel to get there, [my parents] could also use it after the Chinese New Year."
She added that while her friends and family in Beijing had not tested positive yet, she still wanted to send the medicines back so they will have a peace of mind even if they fall sick.
The total delivery fee was S$32, a price she felt was the most reasonable out of all the delivery companies she looked at.
Beijing is experiencing a surge of cases after the city relaxed most of its Covid measures, according to the Financial Times.
https://mothership.sg/2022/12/chinese-send-panadol-back/
