A freighter prepares to dock at the Shanghai Yangshan Deep Water Port. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Shanghai has stepped up COVID-19 pandemic control and inspection on wharfs receiving international cargo ships across the city to protect local residents against imported coronavirus risks, Shanghai's transport authority said on Wednesday after the city reported seven local COVID-19 cases in Pudong New Area since November 9.

Non-essential personnel will be prohibited from boarding and disembarking from ships, and personnel boarding the ships must wear protective clothing and go through disinfection, the authority said.

The wharfs are asked to strictly implement the epidemic requirements on ports and prevent personnel who do not meet the requirements from boarding the ships, thpaper.cn reported.