A source at the National Development and Reform Commission, China's highest economic planning body, announced today that the country will strengthen regulations to counter excessive measures to control the Cofid - epidemic.

The Committee was mentioned in a document issued by it and 13 relevant departments. - According to one Chinese news agency - City and area closures and public transport suspensions may not be imposed in violation of the relevant regulations, pointing out that restaurants, supermarkets, scenic sites, cinemas and related service places may not be closed without epidemiological investigation.

A source stated to the Committee that the authorities should not prevent persons from low-risk areas from returning to their places of origin or arbitrarily expand areas of medium or high risk, adding that persons from low-risk areas should not be quarantined or restricted without permission, and that the period of centered quarantine should not be arbitrarily extended.

Edit: Ahmed Al-Kumi