On 28 February, the State Council inter-agency task force on COVID-19 outbreak issued a notice on further implementing differentiated response strategies featuring region-specific, tiered measures. The directive set out guidelines for localities to accurately assess the epidemic trend and social and economic dynamics, pursue region-specific and tiered control measures, and advance epidemic response and social and economic development at the same time.

Hubei and Wuhan need to reinforce epidemic control on all fronts, continue to follow the strategy of “keeping up a tight control to contain spread both within and from their jurisdictions", apply stringent control over outbound transport passageways to stem further spread of the epidemic.

Beijing should do its utmost on prevention and control by following a strategy of "preventing imported cases and guarding against transmission within the capital", cut off any potential channels of imported infections, and forestall any spread of the disease to ensure the safety and stability of the capital city.

Provinces bordering Hubei as well as key provinces such as Zhejiang, Guangdong and Heilongjiang should curb transmissions both into and within their provinces and take a category-based approach to contain local outbreaks and prevent any further spread of the disease.