(Yicai Global) April 17 -- Wuhan, the capital of China’s central Hubei province, which has been at the epicenter of China's outbreak of novel coronavirus-caused pneumonia, will issue vouchers worth CNY500 million (USD71 million) to its residents today to stoke consumption and help companies in commerce, culture and tourism restart work and production, the city’s business bureau announced today.

These digital coupons cover dining, shopping at malls, supermarkets and convenience stores, and culture, sport and tourism events and attractions. All those in Wuhan, including those from other parts of China, can receive and use these gift certificates, which include special ones for the disadvantaged to the tune of about CNY18 million.

The gift certificates will be available on the platforms of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding, lifestyle platform Meituan Dianping and Internet titan Tencent Holdings, and their distribution will unfold in two phases, the first beginning at noon on April 19 then continuing to May 31.

The vouchers for dining and consumption in supermarkets will have two face values, namely CNY10 (USD1.40) and CNY20, while those for coupons used in department stores and consumption related to culture, sports and tourism will be CNY50 and CNY80. Each resident can get up to CNY100 (USD14.2) from one platform in a month, no more than CNY200 on one portal throughout the event, and collectively less than CNY600 from all three sources.

These chits can be used only when locals consume at physical stores, outlets and places of business where online payment is available. They cannot be used for top-up, prepayment and other similar services, and no change or cash-back will be allowed when the vouchers are redeemed. Re-sale of items purchased is also banned.

Alibaba, Meituan Dianping and Tencent have also unveiled recovery vouchers worth about CNY1.8 billion which consumers can also use.

Editor: Ben Armour