Regular virus testing begins in more cities

More jurisdictions across China are undertaking regular coronavirus testing of residents in an effort to identify potential hazards early and reduce transmission risks.

Henan province will start regular 48-hour nucleic acid tests for all residents, according to a notice released on Saturday by the province's epidemic prevention and control headquarters.

Residents who don't have negative test results taken within 48 hours will be forbidden to enter public places or use public transportation, the notice said.

Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, will start regular testing by the end of the month, while other cities in Henan will start by the end of June.

Several cities in neighboring Hebei province also released notices over the weekend about regular tests. Shijiazhuang, Baoding, Hengshui and Cangzhou, will test all residents weekly for free. The provincial capital, Shijiazhuang, will provide the service for females and males separately to improve the efficiency of testing for residents who live together.

A wife and husband should take turns testing to pinpoint potential risks in a timely manner while reducing the strain on testing resources.

The city has set up sampling stations for residents within a 15-minute walk. Starting on May 30, residents of Shijiazhuang will have to show a negative test result taken within seven days to enter public places.

Cangzhou will test males on Mondays and females on Thursdays. Those who cannot take tests on the two days can get them on Saturdays.