Want To Buy These Medications? Beijing Requires You To Get a COVID-19 Test Afterwards

If you have been to the pharmacy recently to get medicine for your cold, or just to avoid feeling congested, you might have received a text message that requires you to get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours.

The text you'll recieve, or have already received, goes a bit like this: To further control the risk of the pandemic, starting today, Beijing will require people who have purchased any of four types of medicines within the last 14 days to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours.

What happens if you fail to get tested within 72 hours, you ask? Well, as explained in the message, based on the nucleic acid test database, you will receive a notification on your Health Kit (健康宝 jiankangbao) that will notify others you haven’t taken the test yet, which might affect your travel plans and ability to get around. Your best bet is to get it done as soon as possible if you don’t want to risk not being able to go anywhere.

Beijing has also asked that people observe anti-Covid measures to stop the spread of the pandemic, including wearing a mask and avoiding going out as much as possible until test results are released. Here are more specifics on the tests, the drugs in question, and other info.

How much is a COVID-19 test?

It currently costs only RMB 35 to get tested in Beijing.

What types of medications are on the list?

The four types of restricted drugs are: fever reducers, cough medicines, antibiotics and antivirals, and medicines used to treat coughs and sore throats. However, sometimes certain drugs used to treat other diseases like asthma can also be classified as cough medicines. Even if you have rhinitis from seasonal allergies and need to take meds for your condition, just keep in mind that you will be required to go get a COVID-19 test if the drug you take falls into one of the four categories.

Read: See Extra Info on Your Journey Card for Beijing Today? Don’t Panic! 

Images: Weibo, Irene Li, Unsplash