The Big Data Development Bureau of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has taken the lead in China to allow for the use of health codes offline, officials from the bureau announced on Jan 13.

The move, which came into effect on Jan 10, allows the codes to be used in emergency situations such as system failures and network interruptions.

The WeChat mini-program for Guangxi's health code will automatically switch to offline mode in emergencies and let users show their latest health code. Special groups including the elderly and children who are unable to apply for health codes can pass the check before being registered by staff members on-site. 

Officials from the Big Data Development Bureau of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region said that more innovative measures will be taken to ensure the smooth operation of Guangxi health codes in order to support the normalization of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.