China COVID briefing ahead of Lunar New Year travel rush

China is seeking to minimize the possibility of a major new COVID-19 outbreak during this month’s Lunar New Year travel rush after the end of most pandemic containment measures. The Transportation Ministry on Friday estimated over 2 billion trips will happen during the Spring Festival, nearly double the number of last year and 70% of the volume in 2019 before pandemic began.

The 40-day travel rush will start on January 7 and end on February 15. Vice Minister Xu Chengguang called on people to reduce trips and gatherings, particularly if they involve elderly people, pregnant women, small children and those with underlying conditions.