Officially, much of China got back to work on Monday after an extended Lunar New Year holiday, but there were few signs of activity in Beijing.
Schools remained closed and many people worked from home, hoping to avoid crowds and the risk of catching the new virus that has sickened tens of thousands of people.
Panic buying has been reported, with items such as rice, bottled water, dry noodles and cleaning products the most sought after. Fresh meat, fruit and vegetables remained widely available, reflecting the government's demand that suppliers be exempted from rigid travel restrictions.