A worker, covering himself with a mask, glasses and a protective suit, delivers gas in the Jiang'an district of Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, on Feb 1. (Photo by Zhou Guoqiang/for chinadaily.com.cn)

The National Health Commission said on Saturday the bodies of dead novel coronavirus patients should be cremated nearby and should not be transported to other places.

Bodies of deceased patients should not be buried in the ground or stored in other ways, according to a notice published on its website.

It is also stated that no ceremonies to pay respect to the deceased or funerals should be held.

The bodies of those with suspected infections, including those who were under medical observation, also should be treated the same way, the notice said.