Chinese Vice Premier Stresses Epidemic Control During Spring Festival Travel Rush
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Wednesday called for efforts to prevent and control the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush. Authorities should give top priority to epidemic prevention and control, making sure that the epidemic does not spread during the peak travel season, Mr Liu said as he inspected preparation work for the travel rush in Beijing.
Due to the epidemic, the total number of passenger trips is likely to go down this year, but the task of epidemic control will add to the difficulty of organisational work, Mr Liu said, urging transport departments and companies to fulfill their duties.
He called for improved services, such as the use of health QR codes, to facilitate travel efficiency, along with measures to improve the travel experience of the elderly.
The Spring Festival travel rush, known as the world’s largest annual human migration, lasts 40 days from January 28 to March 8 this year.
Less travel urged
China has rolled out a series of guidelines to ensure the well-being of people who had been asked to avoid traveling during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.
All residents in areas at high risk of COVID-19 shall stay at their current residing localities to prevent spreading the epidemic, said a recent circular released by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.
Travel from medium-risk areas will need permission from the local epidemic prevention and control authorities.