Central government offers favorable policies, funds to fight epidemic: Official

BEIJING -- Several departments of China's central government have rolled out favorable policies or provided funds for local governments and individuals to fight the new coronavirus, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC) said Monday.

Patients confirmed to be infected with the virus will receive subsidies from the central and local governments for medical expenditures that are not covered by insurance or medical aid, said Li Bin, deputy director of the NHC, at a press conference.

Medical workers and other personnel involved in preventing and controlling the virus will also be subsidized and those who become infected with the virus on duty will be compensated, Li said.

The central government will also provide necessary help for local governments to purchase medical equipment and testing kits to battle the epidemic.

The Ministry of Finance has earmarked a total of 5.4 billion yuan (about $769.8 million) to support local governments across the country to prevent and control the epidemic, including 1.5 billion yuan to Hubei province, the center of the battle, Li said.

The National Development and Reform Commission has also invested 300 million yuan from the central budget to support the construction of a new hospital in Wuhan, capital of Hubei, which is designated to treat patients infected with the new virus, he said.