BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Social organizations that spread false information or engage in illegal activities during the new coronavirus outbreak will be severely punished, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

File photo: CGTN

Venues for the registration of social organizations should improve their plans for epidemic prevention, the ministry said in a notice, urging the public to handle their affairs online or via telephone wherever possible.
Supervising bodies for social organizations at various levels should not convene studying or training sessions to prevent the gathering of crowds, the ministry said.
The Chinese mainland has reported 7,711 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus by the end of Wednesday. A total of 170 people have died of the disease.