A Yemeni trader selects tea pots at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu City of east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 14, 2021. Facing the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic, authorities in Yiwu City, dubbed "world supermarket," manage to strick a good balance between coordinated epidemic prevention and control and smooth economic growth.Photo:Xinhua

Yiwu in East China's Zhejiang Province - known as the "world's supermarket" - on Monday released incentives including rent reduction and subsidies to urge employees from both home and abroad to stay put in the city for the upcoming Spring Festival, seen as a move that echoes the central government's call to strengthen epidemic prevention measures across the country.

A notice was jointly issued on Saturday by seven central government departments including the ministry of human resources and social security, encouraging migrant workers to stay in the cities where they are working, to reduce population flow amid the epidemic as well as boost production stability.

Yiwu released various incentives covering many fields including residents' livelihoods, medicines and other public services, to encourage all employees - including expats - to stay in Yiwu and celebrate Chinese New Year.

The city encouraged landlords to halve rent for a month or extend tenancy periods for half a month for those who stay in Yiwu for the holiday period.

Meanwhile, for enterprises such as large restaurants, they can apply for a subsidy of up to 100,000 yuan ($15,432) for daily operations during the holidays. 

Barbers, auto repair shops, vehicle washing centers and express delivery businesses can apply for subsidies based on their area if they meet the local authorities' requirements to operate for a certain period of time during the holiday, with subsidies of 25 yuan per square meter and no less than 2,000 yuan per firm, according to the document released by Yiwu Fabu, the city's official social media account on Monday. 

Meanwhile, employees who stay in Yiwu for the holiday can receive consumption coupons from Alipay of up to 500 yuan per person. In addition, the city will open its tourist attractions and public services including cultural centers and museums for free. 

From February 14 to 21, the city's medical institutions will not charge outpatient and emergency registration fees; those workers who stay can enjoy health check-ups at half price.

For expats who stay put during the upcoming Spring Festival, they can ask for help in English if needed.