Combo photo shows Chen Lin making a hand heart gesture in the mine in Jinchang of northwest China's Gansu Province on Feb. 11, 2021 (L, photo taken by Du Zheyu), and Chen's mother making a hand heart gesture with Chen's younger son in Langzhong of southwest China's Sichuan Province on Feb. 12, 2021 (R). Chen Lin, 34, works at the third mining zone of the Jinchuan Group in Jinchang. This year, Chen chose not to return hometown during the Spring Festival and stay put with his wife and older son to help curb the pandemic. Though away from home, Chen has received specialties sent by his parents from hometown to help create atmosphere of the festival. They also sent each other New Year's greetings via video link. As a part of the preventative measures against COVID-19, China has encouraged people to stay locally for the Chinese New Year. Many Chinese chose not to go back to their hometowns for family gatherings, opting instead to stay where they were for the most important holiday of the year. Xinhua reporters helped those who didn't go back to their hometowns "reunite" with their families in pictures. (Xinhua)
