Moscow authorities launched on Thursday free Covid-19 testing for 12.6 million residents of the capital in a bid to control the spread of infection, APP reports.

Testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is organised in 207 Moscow clinics, with 45 of them also capable of running tests on children, the city administration said in an announcement on its official website.

The test results will be entered into patients' electronic charts within three days from the date of testing, it said.

Russia provides free health care and medical assistance to all citizens, including testing and medical help to people affected by Covid-19.

However, until now only people suspected to be infected with the new corona-virus were tested for free. Others had to conduct paid tests in private clinics while the new option allows to take tests for anyone wishing to do so.