Apart from Wuhan, other major cities across China are also stepping up efforts to curb the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The Beijing municipal government announced that companies should make arrangements for employees to work from home before the end of Feb 9. It also said companies should strengthen body temperature testing. Beijing subway authorities have launched temperature detection measures on all 22 metro lines.

In South China's Guangdong province, authorities said they have enough hospital beds to care for infected patients, and if necessary, temporary hospitals could be built.