Regular rapid testing measures at community care institutions discontinued effective on Feb 27, 2023; the frequency of rapid testing for care recipients in residential care institutions relaxed to once a week and will remain till March 31


On February 23, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that the government-funded regular rapid testing measures in community-based care institutions will be discontinued effective on February 27, 2023. On the same day, the frequency of rapid tests in residential care institutions will be relaxed to once a week for care recipients (one test each week for persons with mental or physical disabilities, persons with dementia, and people aged 2-18, and no tests for children under 2 years of age), and this adjustment for the regular rapid testing measures will remain till March 31. They need to take a rapid test if symptoms develop, while individuals under two years of age will receive a PCR test if symptoms develop. Individuals who test positive should seek telemedicine consultations with designated healthcare facilities which then should assist these individuals in following the instructions on isolation or treatment pursuant to relevant guidelines. Staff at such institutions no longer need to take at least one rapid test every week; however, they should still take rapid tests if they experience symptoms. Furthermore, if institutions deem it necessary to give staff a COVID-19 test (due to their history of contact or cluster), they should offer government-funded rapid tests to their staff. Residents or care recipients and staff who have recovered from COVID-19 are exempted from testing within three months. The rules for how often rapid tests are performed will be adjusted in due course based on the pandemic situation.
 
PublishTime 2023/2/23