North China's Tianjin Municipality introduced a ban on the eating of wild animals on Friday. It's the first ban introduced by a provincial People's Congress in China since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Tianjin now forbids eating of wild animals and their products that are under state or city protection, as well as other wildlife protected by previous laws and regulations, according to a decision approved at a session of the Standing Committee of the Tianjin Municipal People's Congress, the city's legislative body.

No organization or individual is allowed to hunt, sell, purchase, transport, carry or deliver wild animals and their products for the purpose of consumption or trading, said the statement.

Catering businesses cannot solicit or lure customers by using names and photos of banned wild animals on their signs or menus.

The city will impose severe punishment for parties violating the new regulation, including fines and revoking business licenses.

The ban will be beneficial for the safety and health of the public, eliminate the bad habit of eating wild animals and protect the wildlife and balance of the ecosystem, according to the decision.