Wuhan authorities have rescinded an announcement made earlier on Monday that non-residents could leave if they show no coronavirus symptoms and have never had contact with patients, adding that the city will continue its efforts to avoid the virus spreading to other regions.

The local authorities seriously criticized the relevant personnel and said Wuhan will adhere to strictly managing the passage from the city, controlling personnel in and out of Wuhan, and preventing the spread of the epidemic.

Wuhan, home to over 11 million people and capital city of central China's Hubei Province, suspended buses, subways, ferries, flights and trains for outbound passengers on January 23 to halt the coronavirus spread, which so far has sickened over 77,000 people and killed at least 2,595.

Read more: Epicenter - 24 hours in Wuhan

Graphics: How are ordinary people coping in coronavirus-hit Wuhan?