Communities around China have started to use electronic door seals to monitor people who are in self-isolation due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The smart device will alert local officials when any residents attempt to leave their homes during their quarantine period.

The news comes after Chinese people started returning to work and school, which could potentially result in further spread of the virus, according to Chinese media.

A video shows community workers installing the new gadgets on the front doors of residents in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province of eastern China.

Residential areas in other cities, including Xingyang, Huizhou and Zhengzhou, have also followed suit, according to the local press.

The communities believe the 24/7 monitoring system will help keep track of the activities of the residents under quarantine, as well as the swarm of migrant workers who are travelling back into the cities.

One officer told Pear Video that the electric seals could 'massively improve our proficiency because we are very understaffed'.