Zambian experts hailed China for recording zero new domestically transmitted cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and taking practical measures to curtail the virus from inflicting populations and spreading further on March 19.

China reported zero new domestically transmitted cases of COVID-19 for the first time since the coronavirus was detected in Wuhan in December on March 18.

Governments acorss the world continue to grapple with the pandemic with new confirmed cases being recorded on a daily basis.

"It comes as no surprised that China has managed to have this record today. The Chinese have been very aggressive in handling the coronavirus right from the start. This is an incredible milestone in the fight against the outbreak that has without a doubt disrupted life in unimaginable ways and brought about untold suffering the world over," said economic development specialist Misheck Mwanza.

To contain the outbreak, the authorities in China shut down schools and workplaces and imposed travel and quarantine restrictions on broad segments of the population and many visitors from abroad.

"When it comes to saving people's lives, it is just in order that certain liberties are withdrawn just to save lives. The actions that were taken to close some factories in China and restrict movements for instance, were hard but necessary," said Mwanza, who is also a former Zambian diplomat.

Rhodah Nchinga, a public health specialist, said containing the outbreak is key to global health goals and that lessons can be drawn from China's success story as pointing out that the drop in cases is an indication of what can be achieved through consistent implementation of measures.

"We can draw lessons from there and replicate some measures in containing the virus and work towards enhancing responses. It is the responsibility and in the best interest of the global community to ensure that coronavirus is dealt with decisively," said Nchinga.