Parents not infected by COVID-19 are now allowed to accompany their infected children, a senior official of the Shanghai health authority said on Wednesday.

Wu Qianyu, a senior inspector of the Shanghai municipal health commission, told a news conference that the authorities have also improved the services for infected children.

"First, we have strengthened our medical resources, set aside separate zones for the treatment of children, and allowed parents who are also infected to receive treatment while staying with their children," Wu said.

"Guardians who are not infected are allowed to accompany their infected children as long as they sign a letter of commitment and have a full understanding of the potential health risk."

The accompanying parents should wear masks, take personal precautions, dine separately and adhere to the management and guidance of the health workers in hospitals, Wu added.