Zhong Hongjiang, Secretary of the Party working committee of Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone presented a slew of fresh measures designed to return the zone to business as usual, at a news conference.

The moves were in response to the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic and included initiatives to ensure the resumption of work and production at the zone.

The news conference on the prevention and control of the outbreak in Xi'an was held on Feb 21, officials said.

A news conference on the prevention and control of the coronavirus epidemic in Xi'an is held on Feb 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As of Feb 20, a total of 505 enterprises in XHTZ had resumed production, with 76,000 of their employees returning to work, including 182 industrial enterprises above a designated size.

To restore the output of its resident businesses in a steady and orderly manner, XHTZ has formulated and issued a set of handy guidelines for the process, officials said. 

Employees are now hard at work in the XHTZ. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Officials said the zone brought in five to six epidemic prevention experts, to participate in the whole process and help guide resumption approval service teams.

Currently, there are 132 people stationed in the zone, providing 24-hour advice on how to help enterprises accelerate their resumption of production. 

The zone has also introduced polices for the development of micro, middle and small-sized enterprises, such as rent reductions and exemptions and transport subsidies for returning employees.

A charter bus takes returning workers to the XHTZ. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In addition, it has set up a special fund of 100 million yuan ($14.26 million) for various  expenditure connected to prevention and control of the coronavirus outbreak in the zone.

Officials said the XHTZ was also actively chartering buses, trains and flights to help return workers currently outside the city.