Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, the former director-general of the World Health Organization, praised China for its prompt, transparent efforts in effectively controlling the spread of the disease.

It was within about one week's time that China was able to submit the virus' genetic sequence to the WHO to share public health information. Many countries from different regions of the WHO, like Tanzania, Germany and Singapore, thanked China for taking appropriate action to protect itself and to protect the rest of the world, Chan revealed during an exclusive phone interview with China Daily on Tuesday.

Chan, who is an honorary director-general of the WHO, cited Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization, who has commended China for taking very appropriate and decisive measures and having the confidence and capability to control the outbreak and to protect the Chinese people in China, as well as the health of other people in other countries.

The novel coronavirus, which was first discovered in Wuhan of Central China's Hubei province, has infected over 20,000 people on the Chinese mainland.

For epidemic control in Hong Kong, Chan is pleased that the Hong Kong government follows the WHO's guidelines, which are formulated on an evidence-based approach. Chan is Hong Kong's former director of health.

"The WHO does not recommend restrictions on travel and trade. The WHO recommends non-discrimination against patients from all countries of the world," she said in response to the closure of the Hong Kong cross-boundary check-points that connect with the Chinese mainland.

So far, Hong Kong has closed 10 of its 14 immigration checkpoints in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor dismissed the suggestion of banning all those who have recently visited the mainland from entering Hong Kong, as the government must treat every visitor in a fair way.

While acknowledging the Hong Kong Department of Health and Hospital Authority's extensive experience in handling epidemic outbreaks, Chan also warned that Hong Kong remains in a critical situation to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, and the next two weeks will be very crucial.

If proper infection control measures are adopted, including surveillance, early detection, contact tracing and isolation of patients, and people are practicing good personal hygiene, Hong Kong citizens need not panic, Chan said.

Through Tuesday, Hong Kong recorded 17 cases of coronavirus and one patient infected with the virus died on Tuesday.