BEIJING – Many regions and cities in China have declared a 2.5-day work week in a bid to boost consumption and tourism as the country attempts to restart its economy.
The shorter work week is aimed at encouraging people to take short-distance self-drive trips that will give a much-needed boost to the retail and hospitality sectors.
Some provinces in China from Hebei, Zhejiang to Jiangxi have worked out a 2.5-day work week that is intended to enable residents to enjoy an extended weekend, China Daily reported.
The State Council, China’s cabinet, had proposed a flexible 4.5-day work arrangement as early as August 2015 to promote tourism.
But the push to promote this work arrangement has happened only recently, when authorities began promoting consumption and tourism in a bid to counter the drastic drop due to strict social measures to curb the coronavirus.
China’s total retail sales of consumer goods dropped 19% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The shorter work week is aimed at encouraging people to take short-distance self-drive trips that will give a much-needed boost to the retail and hospitality sectors.
Notices have been placed at several major scenic spots across China, in line with government requirements. In Beijing, a partial section of the Badaling Great Wall has been open since 23 March, but attractions such as the Palace Museum remain closed until further notice.
In Xi’an, the iconic Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang has begun allowing entry to individual tourists since 25 March, but has disallowed tourist groups. The museum is only accepting online reservations and has restricted entry to 8,000 visitors daily.
Sichuan’s Jiuzhaigou National Park has reopened since 31 March for individual tourists and tour groups. Tourists with recent travel history outside China will be barred from entering. Only the park’s Shuzheng valley, Rize valley and Zechawa valley have been opened, and a daily visitor limit of 10,000 applies.