Measures to aid those affected by COVID-19

China has stepped up efforts to ensure the basic needs of the impoverished and vulnerable who have been reeling from the shock of COVID-19, senior officials said on Monday.

Liu Xitang, director of the Ministry of Civil Affairs' social relief department, said at a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office that measures will be taken to ensure all vulnerable groups are included in a thorough census of people in need of social relief, expanding the relief's coverage and increasing financial support for severely-impoverished and epidemic-affected populations and areas.

As the epidemic worsened many people's living conditions this year, the ministry organized surveys of those who have shaken off poverty but are likely to fall back in it.

"We've reviewed about 3.61 million people so far, with 1.09 million of them newly included (in the safety net)," he said.

So far, there are about 20 million people covered by the safety net - which was established for impoverished people who are unable to work - up by 1.47 million from last year, he said.

In rural areas, vulnerable groups have seen their minimum annual living allowance rise to about 5,800 yuan ($883) this year from 3,178 yuan in 2015, exceeding the nation's average anti-poverty income standard of about 4,000 yuan per capita, said Chen Hongbo, director of the policy, laws and regulations department of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development.

The central government also expanded coverage of its relief plan. Tang Chengpei, vice-minister of civil affairs, said at the news conference that this year, those whose family earnings are above the poverty line but who suffer serious disability or severe diseases were included in the relief plan.

Migrant workers who could not get jobs in cities due to the epidemic were given one-off temporary subsides to assist them through hard times.

Official figures showed the country has provided temporary subsidies for 7.46 million people this year, up 56 percent from the same period last year.