Local authorities are encouraged to take precise and targeted COVID-19 prevention and control measures based on their own conditions to achieve the biggest social and economic benefits while paying a minimal cost, a senior health official said on Tuesday.

Liang Wannian, head of the National Health Commission's COVID-19 task force, said precise prevention and control is the essence of China's dynamic zero-COVID policy.

Alleviating the damage of the epidemic on people's health and safety is one of major goals of the precise prevention and control.

"The second purpose is to balance the relationship between economic development and curbing flare-ups," he said, adding fast and effective implementation is the core requirement.

"We need to rely on science and technology to further improve our management, including tracing close contacts, testing, monitoring of virus mutation and clinical treatment," he said.

Accuracy is the most important thing, and to achieve this it is essential to improve the ability of professional personnel, he added.

People's feelings should be fully considered when implementing precise measures. "This requires us to provide training and guidance to relevant personnel, as well as publicize knowledge and measures for the public," Liang said.