BEIJING — The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs has released a guideline requiring voluntary organizations to halt unnecessary, cross-region offline services amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate in epidemic prevention and control in an orderly manner, but avoid gatherings until the emergency response to COVID-19 comes to an end, said the document.

Voluntary service organizations should strengthen psychological support for volunteers, prevent them from long-term and heavy-loaded services, and purchase personal accident insurance for staff whose lives can be put at risk by exposure to impending dangers, it noted.

The guideline also asked organizations to alert volunteers to possible risks, provide protection measures and enhance safety education among staff.