A Japanese government panel of experts has called for continuing thorough efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

The experts held a meeting on Wednesday, two weeks after the government declared a state of emergency. Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi and health minister Kato Katsunobu attended the meeting. Nishimura is in charge of anti-coronavirus measures.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has instructed his ministers to ensure that more hygienic laboratories are able to conduct tests for the new coronavirus. Only one facility in Japan is carrying out such tests at present.

Abe gave the instruction on Friday morning at a meeting of relevant ministers, including health minister Katsunobu Kato and foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi.