China raises visitors' upper limit for cultural, tourist locations to 75%

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Friday lifted the upper limit for visitors at cultural and tourist locations from 50 percent to 75 percent of capacity ahead of the National Day holiday in October.

For tourist attractions

Tourist attractions across the country are expected to see a peak in visitor flow on the first long-term holiday since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the ministry's new protocol, the attractions should pay extra attention to biosecurity while at the same time promoting the recovery of the industry.

Pandemic containment still remains a prerequisite of tourist sites. The requirements could be summarized in terms of limits on numbers, reservations and peak hour rearrangements.

Aside from raising the upper limit in tourist numbers, the attractions are also asked to update their disinfection program to facilitate to meet the requirements of the holiday. Reservation and real-name registrations are also required so that the tourists could be traced in time if infections occur.

The ministry also encourages the attractions to join hands with the local sanitation department to deal with possible emergencies.

For other cultural locations

In the updated protocols, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has also encouraged local authorities to deal with cultural locations according to their own condition instead of adopting a "one size for all" approach.

The protocol has loosened its restrictions on live house performances, giving priority for "large-scale performances outdoors" in low-risk areas, with the permission of local officials.

The news has triggered discussion on social media platforms, with many netizens exclaiming satisfaction that live house concerts are finally able to return.

The limit for audience numbers is also set at 75 percent of the capacity, with other pandemic containment requirements unchanged, such as routine disinfection, reservation and real-name registration, temperature checks and health QR code.