BEIJING: A Malaysian businessman was among the first batch of residents who signed up to help his neighbourhood battle the latest wave of Covid-19 in lockdown-hit Shanghai.

       Danny Tan has been tasked with overseeing the registration of residents, ensuring that the nucleic acid and antigen rapid detection tests are carried out smoothly, as well as sorting out residents’ purchases, among other duties.

       He said he had responded promptly to a call for volunteers to help in managing the pandemic when the financial hub of China came under a lockdown beginning March 28.

       “This is indeed the time for us to help each other and cooperate with the government.

       “The faster we act, the sooner we can get out of this health crisis,” said the 41-year-old from Penang.

       Tan said the call for volunteers had received very poor response initially, recruiting only 20-plus members in the first batch.

       “To encourage more people to join our effort, we put up pictures and videos of us on duty through the residents’ chat groups to share our stories and experience.

       “Within two weeks, we attracted over 100 others to come on board,” he said.

       Tan said he spent an average of four to six hours each time on the neighbourhood duty.

       “We don’t have to commit to it every day. The community committee will call for volunteers when the need arises,” he said.

       His wife, he added, has been very supportive of his voluntary work while his six-year-old daughter acts as his “home supervisor”.

       “Whenever I return home after duty, my daughter will make sure I shower right away before doing anything,” he shared with a smile, adding that he is involved in the personal protective equipment business.

       With his knowledge, Tan helped other volunteers put on and remove their protective suits as he repeated to them the proper ways to protect themselves from the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2.

       As for himself, he said he would clean up carefully after removing the suit.

       “Before entering my home, I will disinfect myself again at the door.

       “Then, my wife will open all the windows and turn on the air purifier full blast,” he said.

       As Shanghai faced a shortage of food, Tan said he was lucky to have neighbours who knew food suppliers.

       Not only do they receive the essential items, they also have the luxury of options like desserts and fizzy and alcoholic beverages, he added.