With small outbreaks cropping up in parts of China, the government has rolled out a series of measures to encourage migrant workers to stay put in their workplaces during the upcoming Spring Festival to curb the spread of COVID-19 and ensure their well-being.

South China's Shenzhen is one of the cities giving people, especially migrant workers, special subsidies – something like hongbao (red envelopes with money) gifted during Spring Festival – to thank them for sacrificing their family time.

Shenzhen is one of the country's key cities with large numbers of migrant workers.

"We will deduct some rent for those who stay in Shenzhen and give them free access to some public transport. We will also give their children some winter break classes. I hope they can have a happy and peaceful Spring Festival," said Zhang Nasha, executive deputy head of Longhua District.

What migrant workers say

Xiao Gang, 28, works for a phone manufacturer in Longhua District. In the years before the pandemic, now would be about the time he returns home. But he chose to stay this time.

"It's a pity that I can't go home this year. After all, it is a tradition that one should return home for the Chinese New Year no matter what," Xiao said.

But Xiao's family is in Huangshi, central China's Hubei Province. A year ago, more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections were recorded there. This makes him more vigilant about the virus.

"With negative results from my nucleic acid test, I can return home. But there are too many things out of my control. If there's one case that pops up on my way back, and I happen to be in close contact, I might be trapped in quarantine for more than 20 days," he said.

"So I don't want to take the risk. I also think my company will give good incentives to those who stay put. So, I decided to stay."

But some prefer to take their chances rather than miss out on the cherished tradition of family reunion dinner for Chinese New Year.

For the homesick ones, whether it's in the east or west, home is still the best.

Weng Tianhua, another 28-year-old worker from high-tech company Tecno, is looking forward to going home on February 6. He hasn't been home since last year.

"I have always gone home around this time. My mom would always say, 'Why are you so skinny? Other people's kids are so big, but why are you so skinny?' I miss hearing her say this," Weng said.

"I just want to go home and cook a dish that my wife and my parents like. It's challenging for my wife to raise our baby alone. My parents have devoted so much to taking care of me as I grew up.  So, I just need this little time with them, comforting them and making sure they are well," he said. "Then I can come back to work without worries. This is the life I want."

Still, more than half of the staff from Tecno have chosen not to return to their hometowns.

The company has something special in store for Xiao and his fellow workers this Spring Festival.

"We will give subsidies of around 4,000 yuan ($620) per person to those who stay. On top of their salaries, we will add more than 1,000 yuan for each employee that works during the holiday. So, they will gain an extra 5,000 yuan for staying behind," said Tecno General Manager Wen Shuisheng.

"We're also organizing other kinds of entertainment for them, such as a photo competition," said Wen.