A series of policies have been rolled out by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province to encourage employees to stay there during the Spring Festival holiday, in a bid to avoid the travel rush and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The city is also encouraging employees to continue working on the Feb 11-17 holidays to help their businesses meet production targets.

The incentives include overtime pay and subsidies for those staying at work, free tickets to local scenic spots, shopping coupons, among other things.

Song Wei, a workshop manager at Lishui-based Zhejiang Zhenbang Industrial Co Ltd said 70 percent of its employees were from outside the province.

"Besides the incentives provided by the government, we are also providing a range of benefits including free food and accommodation, triple salary and paid vacation in lieu to employees who stay for the Spring Festival," said Song.

Song said that to date more than 30 employees had volunteered to stay at the company for the Spring Festival holiday.