CHINA is seeking to minimise the possibility of a major new Covid-19 outbreak during this month’s lunar new year travel rush following the end of most of its pandemic containment measures.

The Transportation Ministry called on travellers on Friday to reduce trips and gatherings, particularly if they involve elderly people, pregnant women, small children and those with underlying conditions.

People using public transport are advised to wear masks and pay special attention to their health and personal hygiene, Vice-Minister Xu Chengguang told reporters at a briefing.

The call stopped short of asking citizens to stay home entirely, as the government had since the pandemic began, although some local governments have urged migrant workers not to return home.

China ended a strict regime of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing in December amid growing concerns about the economic impact and rare public protests.

On Sunday, China is also due to end mandatory quarantine for people arriving from abroad.

The current outbreak of the virus appears to have spread fastest in densely populated cities, putting a strain on the healthcare system. 

Authorities are now concerned about its possible spread to smaller towns and rural areas.

Overseas, a growing number of governments are requiring virus tests for travellers from China, although New Zealand announced this week that they would not require any testing provisions for Chinese visitors.

China has criticised the new testing requirements and warned it could impose counter-measures against countries using them. 

The Chinese governemnt has gradually opened up to visits by foreign officials, hosting Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr this week.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to make his first visit to Beijing in the coming weeks, during which he will meet newly appointed Foreign Minister Qin Gang, China’s blunt-speaking former ambassador to Washington.