As more confirmed and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 have been reported in some Chinese provinces and cities, a notice has strongly recommended people avoid nonessential travel during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
The Spring Festival holiday, which lasts from Feb 11 to 17 this year, is a traditional Chinese festival when people return home to reunite with family. However, considering the current situation, people are advised not to travel and to instead celebrate the festival where they work and live.
The notice said online and offline stores and supermarkets, as well as express companies, especially those in big cities, will be supported to stay open during the holiday, so that people's needs will be well met.
Internet and television programs on culture and sports should be increased during the holiday and companies are encouraged to offer free access to the internet and online movies, it said.
In low-risk areas, libraries, museums, theaters, parks and stadiums can be open to meet people's needs for diverse activities, but with a provision that measures on the control and prevention of COVID-19 should be strictly applied, it added.
At the same time, some provinces, cities and regions have come up with attractive offers to encourage people to stay put during the holiday.
In Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Hefei, Anhui province, Suzhou, Jiangsu province, and Tianjin, governments promised to provide a subsidy of up to 2,000 yuan per person to people who remain in the city during the holiday.
Trade unions in Fujian province announced they will offer free psychological services, physical examinations and diagnosis for people from other provinces who work in Fujian and choose to spend the holiday there.