One of the new trending topic hashtags on Chinese social media platform Weibo on November 16 is “Zhengzhou Testing Point Launches VIP Service” (#郑州一采样点推出VIP服务#).
The launch of this local ‘VIP service’ comes at a time when some cities and regions in China are ending free Covid-19 tests, although frequent Covid testing and mandatory negative PCR test results are central to China’s anti-epidemic strategy.
It also comes at a time when mass Covid testing campaigns are canceled across China in light of the optimized Covid measures last week.
The testing point in question, located in the Huiji District in the city of Zhengzhou, Henan province, received national attention after locals took photos of its public notice.
For a fee of 320 yuan ($45), people get special “express” testing with test results coming out within an hour (90 minutes at the most). For this price, they can have a total of twenty express tests within a time frame of two years. The express test service are meant for corporate VIP customers and are not offered separately.
The idea of a Covid-19 testing point offering VIP services seemed odd to many on commenters on Chinese social media. “Magical 2022,” some wrote, with others calling it “shameless.”
Others wonder if there will also be gold, premium, and diamond VIP packages in the future.
But not everyone thinks VIP services are necessarily a bad idea: “They should have start charging for nucleic acid tests earlier and require testing three times per week. Based on the fee they could offer various services, and reduce the fees for people with lower income.”
Others wonder: “Would VIP services also allow us to jump the waiting lines?”
“This is just how business works,” one commenter said, underlining that the testing point is not a government-run one. “The pandemic has changed into a business opportunity.”
By Manya Koetse
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