An elegant fish dish is included in the Chinese New Year's Eve Meal Menu designed by the Boyue Hotel in Quzhou. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

To curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during the upcoming holidays, China has issued a plan to reduce mass gatherings and strengthen its novel coronavirus epidemic controls, with a range of measures and guidance that includes advocating off-peak travel and encouraging people to stay put during the break.

In response to the national initiative, Boyue Hotel in Quzhou city in East China's Zhejiang province is providing special offer for New Year's Eve meals to those elderly who won't be meeting up with family during the Spring Festival holiday.

Feng Yunlan, the director of the Boyue Hotel, said that due to the epidemic, some seniors decided to tell their children not to come back during the upcoming break. But Feng said they still deserved special New Year's Eve meals, which they might have difficulties to prepare at home.

Early on the morning of Feb 4, the hotel launched a survey which asked what special gastronomic delights senior citizens wanted. A Chinese New Year's Eve menu for two, or a proposed menu for three diners -- customized for the elderly to be eaten in their homes -- was sent out the next day.

The New Year's Eve meals from the hotel for two to three people will include one cold dish, three hot dishes and one dim sum.