Nucleic acid tests conducted for returning workers

As Chinese firms cautiously resumed business amid the coronavirus epidemic, some entrepreneurs opted to nucleic acid tests to make sure their employees are safe.

In an economic development zone in Ningxiang, central China's Hunan Province, over 500 employees lined up loosely with one meter between each other waiting to be tested.

Medical staff in protective gears and goggles took throat swabs from the employees. The whole process for each person took less than a minute.

The test service strictly follows the guidelines issued by the National Health Commission, according to Dian Diagnostics, the service provider.

The economic zone said it has subsidized 50 percent of the test cost for enterprises in the park that are approved for the examination.

"The test results are reassuring and can help us focus on production," said Fu Changhong, manager of a shoe company that has received the tests.

Multiple provinces including Shandong, Jiangsu and Shaanxi have also encouraged third-party agencies to undertake the nucleic acid tests as companies resume work.