The health QR codes Chinese people have been using to check into public places and transportation to assist COVID-19 contact tracing will be consolidated and universally recognized nationwide in time for the Spring Festival travel rush, an official with China's National Development and Reform Commission said Friday.

All regional authorities should implement regulations for the mutual acceptance of health codes, so as to provide greater convenience for inter-provincial travelers and make sure their travel won't be affected, said Lian Weiliang, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission.