China expects 2.1 billion trips during New Year holiday season

The Chinese government said Friday it expects about 2.1 billion domestic journeys to be made in the country over a 40-day travel season that includes the weeklong Lunar New Year holidays beginning Jan. 21, amid fears the large-scale human migration could further spread COVID-19.

Starting Saturday, the number of journeys forecast to be made during the Spring Festival travel rush almost doubled compared to the same season the previous year as the Chinese government significantly relaxed its “zero-COVID” policy last month, removing stringent restrictions on people’s movements.

However, the projec...