BEIJING -- Health authorities across China have been asked to brace for the cold as winter approaches, according to a recent notice by the National Health Commission.

Supervision and inspection of key industries that involve operations at low temperatures or in chilly weather should be enhanced, the notice said, listing measures for providing heating and drying equipment and resting rooms, and limiting working hours outdoors.

It also stressed protecting female workers from cold and emergency plans for large-scale nucleic acid testing in the winter.