East China's Shandong province has rolled out 20 measures to boost cultural and tourism-related industries that were hit hard by the novel coronavirus epidemic and to help companies in the sectors resume operations.

"The epidemic has led to substantial losses in the cultural and tourism sectors. It may take longer for the tourism industry to recover," said Sun Shu'e, deputy director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Sun said that the province will focus on solving the current operating difficulties faced by enterprises, but also consider the entire year or longer for tourism market recovery and industrial development.

"In the name of preventing imported cases and avoiding a rebound of the outbreak and to ensure all our efforts thus far are not in vain, we have released measures to reduce pressure on enterprises, stimulate the vitality of the market, and strengthen industrial development."

Sun said that culture and tourism departments at all levels throughout the province will also launch measures to assist severely affected enterprises and boost market recovery.

Five Dragon Pool Park in Jinan, Shandong province, is among a growing number of tourism spots that are reopening as the epidemic subsides across China. [Photo/Xinhua]

As the virus becomes a lower threat throughout the province, cultural and tourism enterprises and service-oriented businesses are being allowed to gradually reopen according to their security-risk level and business category.

At the same time, they are being urged to take stringent epidemic-control measures when resuming operations.

The Shandong Provincial Government is encouraging A-level tourist attractions throughout the province to offer free admission to medical workers as a gesture of gratitude for their efforts and sacrifices on the frontlines.

In addition, a special fund will be used to provide awards and subsidies for the creation, distribution, and projection of film and television programs.

The Shandong Provincial Government is also encouraging banks and financial institutions to reduce interest rates and adjust repayment periods for hard-hit enterprises and key construction projects such as cultural creativity parks and rural tourism facilities.

Lastly, a development fund of 150 million yuan ($21.24 million) will be used to help hard-hit enterprises, upgrade cultural facilities, and introduce more cultural and tourism construction projects.