BEIJING

Hotel pact released to control virus

China's hotel industry association, in cooperation with e-commerce company Meituan, has released a "self-discipline" pact on epidemic-prevention work amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. The association is pledging more standard preventive measures to make customers feel safer while checking in to hotels. The pact, the first of its kind in the industry, offers guidelines and standards for hotels' material supply, staff management, disinfection and other aspects of prevention work.

JIANGSU

Govt subsidies for slumping businesses

The Jiangsu provincial government has released a slew of measures, including launching a relief fund worth 100 million yuan ($14.3 million) to help cultural and tourism businesses weather the novel coronavirus epidemic. About 450 travel agencies and 90 internet cafes in the province will be selected and subsidized based on criteria such as scale and contribution in 2019, according to the new policy. Jiangsu will also provide subsidies and interest-discount loans to A-level tourist attractions, key rural tourism enterprises and star-rated hotels this year. In addition, the province will exempt loan interest for tourism companies.

HAINAN

Medical workers to be rewarded with trips

Haikou authorities said they will award medical workers with trips to the southern coastal city in Hainan province after the epidemic for their contributions in the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak. The invited medical workers will be given a free return flight. A total of 108 local hotels will provide 10 rooms each day with a 50-percent discount for medical workers.