Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports have strengthened COVID-19 prevention measures for the Spring Festival travel rush that began on Thursday and will run through March 8.

All people entering terminals at both airports must wear masks and receive infrared temperature checks. Arriving passengers from medium- and high-risk regions are subject to strict quarantine management, officials from the Shanghai Airport Authority said.

People in China usually enjoy a weeklong holiday for family gatherings and celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on February 12 this year. Due to the pandemic, however, authorities are encouraging people to avoid traveling during the holiday.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China predicts that domestic carriers will handle about 39 million travelers during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush this year, the same number as last year but fewer than 2019.

To reduce contact, the airport authority has made most security check channels self-service, enabling passengers to scan their ID cards and faces to complete the process. Passengers are reminded to stay at least a meter away from one another when waiting to go through security.

Eighteen new self-service check-in machines are up and running at Hongqiao, allowing passengers to check in tickets and luggage on their own. They can also board aircraft via facial recognition at Gate 47 in Hongqiao's T2 terminal.

Travelers can also buy masks and hand sanitizer at airport information centers.

A disinfection robot has been deployed in the T2 terminal to sterilize 10,000 square meters of public space, and ultraviolet sterilizing machines continuously disinfect luggage trolleys.