BEIJING — The State Council, or China's cabinet, has stressed efforts to further improve the smooth flow of highway traffic and ensure the normal passage of personnel and vehicles.

Specific arrangements were made to safeguard the normal economic and social order, according to a circular released by the General Office of the State Council on Feb 8.

All-out efforts should be made to ensure the smooth highway operation, said the circular, requiring local departments to optimize control measures for highway traffic and prevent traffic congestion.

The circular stressed orderly resumption of road transport services, urging efforts to guarantee necessary travel services for doctors, public service workers and other key personnel in Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Effective measures should be taken in other regions to ensure the supply of transport capacity and travel safety, and coordinate off-peak travel to meet the normal travel needs of the public, the circular said.

Efforts should be stepped up for emergency supplies transportation, the circular noted. Emergency transportation for Hubei, especially for the city of Wuhan, will be prioritized, as well as transportation of anti-virus materials and necessities for life.

Those who block highway traffic infrastructure or interfere with the normal order of highway transportation shall be held accountable, the circular said.