Beijing's commerce bureau has been encouraging the restaurant industry to expand sales channels and try to avoid staff reductions, a senior official said on Monday.

Bureau spokesperson Liu Meiying said during a news conference that companies in the dining industry — which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 epidemic — should actively expand sales channels, such as increasing online orders or takeout services and try not to cut jobs.

The bureau has organized around 2,700 restaurants to connect with group diners, trying to help raise revenues.

Up to 72 percent of the 45 major brand-name restaurant chains had resumed operations as of Monday, according to the bureau.