BEIJING — China's Ministry of Transport (MOT) has called for greater prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak targeting citizens returning from overseas, urging that special transport services should be properly arranged.

Provincial-level transport departments were instructed to put in place information sharing and coordinated mechanisms, which will enable local governments to keep track of information of Chinese citizens returning from overseas, especially places with severe outbreaks, said a circular released by the MOT March 5.

Such mechanisms will be conducive to the formulation of targeted transport plans in advance, the circular said.

Ports of entry were also required to establish emergency transport fleets and provide "point-to-point" services for returning citizens to ensure that their traveling demands are met in a timely manner.

The MOT also pledged efforts to implement anti-virus measures among passenger transport firms and curb infections in all means of transportation.