File photo: CFP

Beijing has tightened anti-epidemic measures ahead of the Qixi Festival, or China's Valentine's Day, which falls on Aug. 14 this year. The day is known as the most popular day of the year for Chinese couples to register for marriage.

The Chinese capital's civil affairs bureau recently issued an announcement, requesting the departments for marriage registration and other civil affairs services to further strengthen anti-epidemic work. According to the announcement, appointments online and off-peak visits are encouraged, noting that gatherings should be avoided during the civil affairs service.

The city's departments for marriage registration on Saturday are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will only receive couples with appointments.

For epidemic prevention and control, the departments have created waiting areas separate from registration areas, and have set one-meter markers for the queuing areas to ensure social distancing. Couples are requested to wear masks properly, show green health codes, and have their temperature taken before entering.

Li Lie, director of the marriage registration department in Haidian district, said that door-to-door services and couples taking oaths for marriage at the registration office have been suspended due to the recent COVID-19 resurgence.