Beijing (People's Daily) - China unveiled a slew of measures to ensure service and supplies for people staying put for Spring Festival instead of traveling home, to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Photo: State Council Information Office

Local governments should strengthen the supplies of life necessities and power, enhance transportation, and safeguard lawful rights and interests of migrant workers who stay put, said Zhao Chenxin, a spokesman of the National Development and Reform Commission at a media conference on Wednesday.

Zhao also stressed that governments at all levels across China must not impose additional rules on people's mobility.

"Local governments shall not take a one-size-fits-all approach to preventing people from returning back to their hometowns," said Zhao, "and shall provide convenience for those who need to go back."

Sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19 cases have recently emerged in some parts of China. A notice recently released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council has recommended people avoid nonessential travel during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday to reduce the risk of virus spreading.

The media conference is held by China's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, a mechanism assembled in response to the novel coronavirus public health emergency.

(Compiled by Zhan Huilan and Lin Xiaojie)