Expanded COVID-19 testing to cover key groups

China will expand testing for the novel coronavirus to cover key groups of people as part of measures to curtail COVID-19 while also ensuring normal work resumption, according to a guideline released by the top health authority on Monday.

Mandatory nucleic acid testing for the virus should cover the key groups, including close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients, people entering China from overseas, patients at fever clinics, patients to be hospitalized, medical workers and nursing home staff, the National Health Commission said in the guideline.

Authorities across China should expand testing capacity to ensure all others can receive a test if they want to. They can also determine priority groups that should be tested based on their own conditions, the guideline said.