People take nucleic acid tests at a mobile sampling cabin in Hangzhou. [Photo by Zhang Yuhuan/chinanews.com]

As COVID-19 prevention and control work continues, Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, is planning to set up more sampling work to ensure that all residents are within a 15-minute walk of a nucleic acid testing location, the Zhejiang provincial government announced at a COVID-19 prevention and control work press conference on May 18.

According to a press release, Hangzhou has already opened about 10,000 permanent or mobile testing stations in residential communities, public places, and medical and health organizations. The city has also trained over 62,000 professionals for nucleic acid testing.

"Zhejiang is promoting the application of mobile nucleic acid sampling cabins across the province, as they boast a primary air system, air filtration, positive pressure protection, and room temperature control and are cable of taking people's temperatures, sample delivery, virus disinfection, scanning codes, and voice talkback," said Chen Guangsheng, executive deputy director of the Zhejiang Epidemic Prevention and Control Work Leading Group Office and deputy secretary-general of the Zhejiang provincial government.

Ningbo, a coastal city that neighbors Hangzhou, is also working to make nucleic acid testing sites available within a 15-minute walk of all residents.

The Zhejiang provincial government announces on May 18 that the provincial capital of Hangzhou will gradually form a 15-minute nucleic acid testing circle for residents. [Photo by Hu Ziyu/chinanews.com]