Beijing government releases guidance on group Spring Festival dining

Beijing's commerce bureau published a guidance on dining together in restaurants during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, or Spring Festival, which recommends gatherings should be limited to 10 persons over two hours.

The holiday for Spring Festival this year starts on Feb 11 and lasts through Feb 17.

According to the guidance published on Wednesday, birthday parties, wedding ceremonies and group dining are encouraged to be postponed or be held in a simple way.

"People should avoid chatting for longer than two hours during the get-together," said the guidance. "Buffet style is preferred to traditional dining in order to reduce infection risks."

Children, pregnant women and seniors with underlying conditions are suggested to not participate.

The authority also emphasized operators of restaurants should take responsibility to make sure the guidance is followed.

Promotional activities in restaurants and shopping malls should also not be held.