China to take tougher epidemic prevention and control measures in the face of higher risk of COVID-19 contagion for the winter-spring period, especially during the Spring Festival to come up.
Efforts will be made to stagger travel and encourage online shopping during the holidays, and the schedule for the winter holidays and the start of the spring semester for schools will be carefully established, said Zeng Yixin, deputy director of the school. National Health Commission, during a press conference on Saturday.
Mr. Zeng called on people not to return to their hometowns to celebrate the Spring Festival but to stay where they live and work during the holidays to reduce the flow of people.
The Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on February 12 this year.
The epidemic prevention and control measures against gatherings, including banquets, parties, and meetings, as well as visits to tourist sites, will also be strengthened, he said.
Mr. Zeng also stressed the need for self-protection measures, such as washing hands, wearing masks, and social distancing.
