How to Book a COVID-19 Test at Chaoyang Hospital on WeChat

Robynne Tindall theBeijinger

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With sporadic COVID-19 cases popping up across Beijing and other cities, you are more likely than ever to need a nucleic acid test, whether for work or for travel. For those of us living and working in the Sanlitun or Guomao areas, Chaoyang Hospital is a quick and convenient place to get tested, with the majority of the test process organized via WeChat.

Below is a step-by-step guide to booking and getting a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 at Chaoyang Hospital. First, you will need to make an appointment via the hospital’s WeChat account. Walk-ins are not accepted, but if there are slots still available you may be able to book on the day.

Step 1: Search for 朝阳健康云 on WeChat. On the home page of the WeChat account, select “Services” followed by 核酸预约.

Step 2: Fill in your personal information. Anecdotally, as a foreign passport holder, I was only able to fill in my information during working hours (i.e. after about 9.30am and before 6pm) — I don't know if this is official policy, but it's something to bear in mind when you are making your appointment. When you’re finished, click “保存” and return to the main page

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Step 3: Pick a time slot. Select 检测日期 and you'll be taken to a calendar with a selection of one-hour time slots (from 7am-12pm and 1-8pm). You can make an appointment for up to two days in advance. Pick a slot and click the blue button marked “确认” at the bottom left-hand side of the screen and you'll return to the main page.

Step 4: Submit your appointment. Back on the main page, click the blue button marked “提交.” You’ll be taken to a confirmation page with your appointment details and a barcode (removed in the photo below for privacy purposes). Take a screenshot of this. Note that you’ll pay the fee — RMB 120 — at the testing site.

The testing site is on the northwest side of the plaza at the east gate of the hospital — everything is outside, so remember to wrap up! Another thing to remember: bring your passport. Arrive during your time slot and get in the queue. Once in the queue, you’ll be offered a QR code to scan to fill in more personal information but you won’t be able to submit the information without a Chinese ID card number — ask for a paper form instead.

Once you get to the front of the queue, simply follow everyone else from window to window. Start at “Registration,” go on to “Payment” (WeChat pay accepted), and “Barcode,” then finally get your test (a very non-invasive throat swab, simply lower your mask and stick your face through the window).

The results of your test should appear in your Health Kit within 24 hours (mine was more like 14 hours).

If for some reason your results don’t appear in your Health Kit, you can collect them in person from a window just behind the testing site during working hours (note they break for lunch from around noon-1pm).