For six years, vegetable wholesaler Zuo Fulai has been serving loyal customers within a 10-kilometer radius of the wholesale market where he is based. Business was picking up as Urumqi, the capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region saw a re-emergence of COVID-19 cases.

Zuo needed to ensure food prices aren't affected by the epidemic.

"We have dependable suppliers. We have an organic vegetable garden. We can ensure the stability of prices," Zuo said.

To make sure customer demands are met, he places orders two days in advance.

After the new virus outbreak in Beijing linked to a wholesale food market, Zuo said another top priority is vigilance on food safety.

"Our protective measures are tightened. Every day we get our body temperature checked. Strict requirements can contain the virus. If you relax like the Americans, it will be messy," he said.

Urumqi's local officials exerted efforts to curb the outbreak and ensure a steady flow of basic goods. 

Xinlian Wholesale Market, where Zuo's store is located, has over 2,800 vendors, providing nearly two-thirds of food and vegetable supplies citywide. Normal operations guarantee the source of food and livelihood for more than two million residents in the city.

"There is no problem with basic supplies. A few vendors had issues with choosing their goods from outside of the city. We have contacted the commerce department and the problems have been solved," said Liu Qingli, Urumqi Xinlian Wholesale Market's general manager.

"We'll keep all kinds of meat and vegetables abundant so that residents will still have their wide range of choices at steady prices," Liu said.