A group of Chinese tourists pose for a photo at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, March 20, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Monday suggested that residents on the mainland not travel abroad amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, particularly to countries hit hard by the pandemic.

Officials with the National Health Commission and the National Immigration Administration made the remarks at a press conference.

As of Sunday, over 140 countries and regions worldwide have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19.