In consideration of the current novel coronavirus outbreak, Chinese citizens are recommended to avoid recent overseas trips to guarantee the health and safety of both Chinese and foreigners, China's National Immigration Administration said on Tuesday.

Reducing cross-border movements can help prevent and control the spread of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), initially found in the city of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, according to the administration. 

The administration called on Chinese mainland residents to postpone non-essential overseas trips. Those who need to travel abroad for special reasons should check the current entry requirements of the destination countries or regions in advance. Also, arriving at the port early is suggested to ensure enough time for medical examinations.

However, those who have fever with symptoms of cough, dyspnea or other acute respiratory infections should stop any exit or entry travel immediately and seek medical treatment. 

Also, the exit and entry administration departments of Hubei Province have suspended applications for ordinary passports as well as exit and entry permits for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

Special channels will be opened for individual case examination and approval for those who need to leave the Chinese mainland for urgent reasons during this period.

Those who have a valid permit to and from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, or who are affected by the outbreak and failed to enter the three places within the validity period, can renew their permit of the same type and validity period free of charge after the outbreak is over.

Read more: Latest on the coronavirus outbreak

(With input from China Daily)