Checks in Beijing

Meanwhile, in Beijing, home to some 200,000 expats, great attention is being paid to the health of overseas students, diplomats, foreign company employees and representatives of international organizations.

At a diplomatic residential compound in the Sanlitun area, residents must pass a temperature check before they can enter their apartments.

A manager at the compound said: "The nature of diplomats' work requires them to travel more (than others), so we have been making more efforts to monitor their health since the outbreak. Residents are also being asked about their recent travel history to prevent the virus spreading."

It's not only diplomats' health that is being closely watched. Netizen "Xiaoxingan", who lives in Wangjing New Town, a community in northeast Beijing that is home to many South Korean businessmen and restaurant owners, said the property management company has sent posters in Korean to each housing unit.

"The posters include pictures, and it's easy to judge from them that people are being reminded to wear a mask before they go out and to wash their hands frequently. I think it is thoughtful of them to do this," the 30-year-old said.

In the central business district of Guomao, home to many multinational companies and international organizations, security personnel are carrying out temperature checks. Supplies of disinfectant are also provided in many office foyers, including hand sanitizers.

On Jan 24, Beijing declared the highest level of public health emergency in response to an outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus.