In this Feb 24, 2020 photo, medical staff process nucleic acid test chip at the plant of a Chengdu-based biotech company in southwest China's Sichuan province. (LIU KUN / XINHUA)

BEIJING – China will include nucleic acid testing and antibody testing for COVID-19 and related consumables in provincial medical insurance catalogues, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration.

The move is designed to reduce testing cost to facilitate regular epidemic control and resumption of work, production, school and business operation, according to a circular issued by the administration.

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The circular also encouraged centralized procurement of detection reagents for reasonable prices and stable supplies.