BEIJING — China's Office of the National Working Commission on Aging has urged the country's elderly population to take more scientific prevention measures amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter addressed to the country's elderly citizens, the office called on them to learn more about the pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus and to get prevention knowledge and news updates on the epidemic from authoritative sources.

Family members of the elderly should help them take prevention measures, said the letter.

The office also asked elderly people to avoid crowded public places including shopping malls and public transport stations, exercise indoors and stay warm.