A passenger uses DiDi Chuxing mobile transportation platform in Melbourne, Australia, June 25, 2018. Chinese rideshare giant DiDi Chuxing officially launches its mobile transportation platform in Melbourne on June 25 after a successful month-long trial in the nearby city of Geelong. Photo: Xinhua

China's Ministry of Transport issued a document on Sunday, suspending ride-share businesses from entering and exiting Beijing to enhance epidemic prevention and control work in the capital city.

The measure follows the incident of a recently released inmate, surnamed Huang, who was infected with COVID-19 and allegedly left Wuhan for Beijing on February 22. 

China's central government have dispatched authorities to Wuhan, which has remained under lockdown, to investigate Huang's case.

According to transport authorities, it is highly possible that ride-hailing services will become popular methods for those who want to avoid health screenings amid the COVID-19 outbreak, and provide a way for passengers to leave Hubei Province and enter Beijing illegally, which helps spread the virus and disrupts the country's prevention and control efforts.  

Ride-share businesses that provide passengers with a way out of Hubei or help others enter or leave Beijing are suspended, the ministry said, and added that all ride-hailing services are required to adhere to local regulations in efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

Ride-share businesses that violate the new regulation will face punishment, transport officials also announced.