China city offers $1,400 reward for those who report virus symptoms

A city in China's Hubei province, the epicentre of the global coronavirus epidemic, will pay residents as much as 10,000 yuan ($1,425.96) if they proactively report symptoms of the illness and it is confirmed after testing.

Good News: Authorities of this city to give $1,200 to every resident

Qianjiang, a city of around one million people located about 150km from the stricken provincial capital of Wuhan, has reported a total of 197 cases so far and is stepping up efforts to ensure its infected people are confined and treated.

Residents wear masks as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 as they shop for fruit and vegetables in a busy market in Beijing. AFP

It is the latest of a number of regions to offer cash rewards to encourage members of the public to volunteer for medical checks.

Hubei has reported over 65,000 cases and more than 2,600 deaths from the epidemic. Worldwide, the death toll is about 2,800 and about 80,000 have been infected.

READ MORE

Saudi Arabia halts travel to Islam's holiest sites over fears of coronavirus

Second person dies of coronavirus in France

China considers complete ban on wildlife trade

Jordan bars entry to citizens of Iran China and SKorea over virus

The Qianjiang task force handling the epidemic said in a notice that residents would be entitled to the full 10,000 yuan payment if their coronavirus diagnosis is confirmed. Those who have previously been diagnosed will not be eligible.

Residents stand a metre apart as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 as they they line up to enter a supermarket in Beijing. AFP

Those who are not immediately ruled out as suffering from the disease will be given 1,000 yuan, while those declared to be "suspected" cases will earn 2,000 yuan, it said.

Other parts of Hubei, including the Wuhan district of Hanyang and the neighbouring city of Huangguang, have also offered cash rewards for people volunteering for medical checks, but at a much lower rate of around 500 yuan.

Media in the provinces of Jiangxi and Hebei have also reported local cities offering handouts of around 300-500 yuan.

China has previously made it clear that people showing signs of infection would be able to get checked free of charge, and has also made funds available to local governments to ensure there are no financial disincentives preventing people from coming forward.

Reuters