BEIJING — China has been stepping up efforts to ensure the transportation of supplies and orderly traffic as the country battles against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Chinese authorities said Jan 30.

Measures have been taken to alleviate the shortage of materials and manage transportation to frontline hospitals to support epidemic prevention and control, Mi Feng, spokesperson of the National Health Commission, said at a press conference.

Mi said supplies of protective materials for frontline medical staff are still tight at present, but relevant production capacities are recovering with more imported materials available. "The situation is improving."

"As an important link to curb the spread of the virus, transportation also offers important support to serve people's travel needs, maintain social order and ensure emergency supplies during the epidemic prevention and control period," said Wu Chungeng, spokesperson of the Ministry of Transport.

More measures will be taken to meet people's increasing needs for travel and materials, according to Wu.