The area hardest hit by COVID-19, Hubei Province in central China, opened its nearly 400 scenic spots to tourists for free on August 8. The policy was to express gratitude for the assistance the province received from across the country and to showcase safety as social and economic development is revived.

The offer will continue through the end of the year, including the National Day holiday in early October. Visitors from low-risk areas can sightsee abiding by regular methods of prevention and control, such as making reservations and having their temperatures taken.

Compared to the document on tourism recovery released on May 1 by the provincial government, which provides preferential treatment for medical personnel, this policy is much more expansive.

As the tourism season goes into full swing, it is driving economic recovery. The measure will help eliminate people's worries about safety and encourage them to travel to Hubei. But it also faces challenges due to the pressure of epidemic containment. The provincial government, together with the scenic spots, should assess their reception capacity. It is also essential to design plans for emergencies, ensuring regular epidemic prevention and control.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in The Beijing News on August 8 

(Print Edition Title: Welcome to Hubei)