21 Alibaba retail stores suspended after virus infections

Alibaba’s offline retail operation Freshhippo has suspended 21 branch stores in southern Shenzhen and disinfected outlets today after three people were confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus disease.

Also, state media reported that Shenzhen authorities have decided to test all visitors who had been to the Hema branch store in Shenzhen since July 24.

Alibaba's Freshippo said two brand promoters and one staff member who worked at its store in the IBC mall in Shenzhen’s Luohu district had tested positive for the virus, citing findings made by the city’s health authority.

“All Freshippo employees in Shenzhen, as well as fresh food products at the stores, will undergo nucleic acid testing. All test results will be formally announced by the government,” the company said in a statement, Reuters reports.