BEIJING — Passengers in China with flight bookings scheduled between Jan 28 and March 8 are able to request full refunds or reschedule their flights free of charge, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on Jan 26.

The move aims to cut the movement of people in order to fight COVID-19 during China's Spring Festival holiday, an important time for families to reunite. The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb 12 this year.

China has rolled out a series of guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of people who have been asked to avoid traveling during the upcoming holiday.

All residents in areas at high risk for COVID-19 shall stay at their current localities to prevent the spread of the virus, read a circular recently released by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

Travel from medium-risk areas requires permission from local COVID-19 prevention and control authorities. Those living in low-risk areas are advised to avoid travel unless necessary, according to the circular.