BEIJING — China is working to further resume delivery services to aid the nation's epidemic control and prevention efforts, according to the State Post Bureau.

The bureau said while continuing to fight the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak, China eyes to recover more than 60 percent of the courier sector's normal delivery capacity by the end of February.

Some 120 million parcels have been collected by deliverymen as of 18, while about 80 million were delivered, data from the bureau showed.

The country's major courier firms began to resume services from Feb 7 after an extended Spring Festival holiday due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The bureau asked courier firms to ensure safe and efficient services, especially those involving the delivery of epidemic-relief supplies and daily necessities.

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. Telecom data showed that the courier sector is one of the earliest industries to resume operation.

Many courier firms are encouraging "noncontact delivery" to reduce contagion risks, with the deliverymen putting orders in a self-collection container or a predetermined place.