Authorities in Zhejiang have called for the public to adopt safer and greener ways of paying respects to their ancestors during the upcoming Qingming Festival to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

The annual Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, falls on April 5 this year. It is a day when Chinese people visit the graves and tombs of their ancestors and deceased loved ones. Joss sticks, paper money and other paper offerings are usually burned to commemorate the dead, thus generating environmental pollution.

In light of new outbreaks across the country, civil affairs departments across the province have mandated that COVID-19 prevention measures be implemented at graveyards and public cemeteries.

Residents in cities like Hangzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Jinhua will need to make an appointment with the cemeteries via their official WeChat platforms or through telephone before they can visit the graves between March 26 and April 6.

New forms of tomb sweeping, such as online memorial services and valet tomb sweeping services, are also being provided.

COVID-19 cases have been reported across different cities in Zhejiang in March. Authorities say the situation has been brought under control.