The ending of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern does not mean the epidemic is over, a health expert said on Monday.

Liang Wannian, head of the National Health Commission's epidemic response expert panel, said the change in designation also does not mean COVID-19 no longer poses any harm to humans or there should be no control measures.

It only means humans have the capability to control the danger posed by COVID, Liang added, and epidemic control measures should continue to be taken to safeguard people's health.

Monitoring of mutations in the novel coronavirus and the epidemic situation should persist, Liang said, emphasizing the need for monitoring systems and capability to be further strengthened.

People of high-risk and key groups need to get vaccinated, which is an effective method to prevent serious cases, deaths and infections, he said.

The capacity for treating serious patients and grassroots public health systems should be further strengthened, as should the training of medical workers and storage of equipment, he added.