BEIJING — China's major courier firms resumed operations on Feb 10 after an extended Spring Festival holiday due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Domestic players like ZTO Express, STO Express and Shanghai Yunda Express said their logistics networks would be set in motion starting Feb 10, while delivery timeliness might be compromised due to the epidemic and priorities would be placed on delivering medical supplies.

Some companies like SF Express and JD Logistics maintained their delivery services during the holiday.

The State Post Bureau last week urged courier companies to restore over 40 percent of their normal handling capacity in the middle of this month and continue to increase their handling capacity according to the development of the epidemic outbreak.

Delivery service is in high demand during the epidemic as many residents prefer making online orders and getting food and other products delivered to them.

Many courier firms are encouraging "non-contact delivery" to reduce contagion risks, with the deliverymen putting the order in a self-collection container or a pre-determined place.