A city in China is offering 500 million yuan (RM330 million) worth of ang pow to non-locals who reside there, to entice them not to return to their hometowns for the Chinese New Year on Feb 1, as a COVID-19 containment measure.

According to reports, the ang pow will be dispatched to non-locals of Dongguan in Guangdong province via digital vouchers, to the tune of 500 yuan (RM330) per person. The city is home to 190,000 industrial firms, and hence, hosts a large non-local population.

The Chinese New Year usually sees the world's largest human migration as people return to their hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year with their family and friends.

Other municipalities and provinces in the country have also issued notices to urge locals to avoid travelling during the festival, to stem the tide of COVID-19 cases.

This as several cities are currently experiencing new outbreaks of the virus.

Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has reiterated that the government will not impose travel restrictions during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, which is expected to fall in May.

According to him, "balik kampung" will be allowed after a period of two years, and there will no longer be blanket lockdowns or travel restrictions.

In case of an outbreak, the affected area will be put under a lockdown, he had said.


Source: Malay Mail
Photo source: Malay Mail via Facebook