China estimates 40% fall in Lunar New Year passenger trips from 2019

BEIJING (Reuters) - The number of passenger trips during China's Lunar New Year holiday this year is expected to be down 40% from the 2019 figure, a transport ministry official said on Wednesday.

Travel at the season's peak should be avoided, the official, Wang Xiuchun, told reporters.

The week-long holiday will start on Feb. 11.

(Reporting by Gabriel Crossley; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)