Zhejiang province has seen an increase in the number of people entering and exiting China since the country removed certain COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights on Jan 8.

According to the provincial bureau exit and entry, from Jan 8 to 16, the province issued 68,471 exit and entry certificates, up 2,500 percent year-on-year.

Hangzhou issued 20,125 exit and entry certificates, the most of any city in the province, followed by Wenzhou and Ningbo.

The provincial bureau’s statistics suggest that most people were travelling for tourism, business, family reunion, or education.

Tao Dong, an officer at the provincial bureau of exit and entry, said that people can also apply for “green channel” services, which give priority to people who have urgent needs.