Official stresses guaranteeing services during Spring Festival holiday

All localities should do a good job in providing services to people living in their current places of residence during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, an official with the country's top economic planning body said Wednesday.

Residents in high-risk zones of COVID-19 shall stay where they currently reside, according to a circular recently issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

Those living in low-risk areas are advised to avoid non-essential travels, the circular noted, adding that in principle, people should abstain from traveling to medium and high-risk areas.

All localities should guarantee a stable supply of basic necessities, and smooth logistics and transportation services to meet the needs for online and offline activities of people who stay where they work during the holiday, said Zhao Chenxin, secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Zhao Chenxin, secretary general and spokesperson of the National Development and Reform Commission, speaks at the press conference in Beijing on Jan. 27, 2021. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]

These efforts are of great significance to contain the COVID-19 spread during the Spring Festival and effectively protect people's health and safety, Zhao told a press conference.

Zhao, however, asked local governments to desist from adopting a blunt, one-size-fits-all approach when implementing the policy.

Efforts should also be made to ensure that those who work during the holiday enjoy due overtime payments and rest as per the relevant laws, Zhao added.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb. 12 this year.