Chinese e-commerce giants Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and JD have each launched online booking services for COVID-19 tests, the companies announced.

The launch of the services comes as China accelerates testing for the disease as Wuhan, the initial epicenter of the outbreak, re-opens.

When users search for "Coronavirus Nucleic Acid Test" in Taobao or Tmall, Alibaba's two main e-commerce sites, they are directed to a page offering appointments at nearby facilities.

The services are available in nine cities, but Alibaba intends to expand this to reach more places.

On Saturday, authorities in Beijing ordered all individuals leaving Wuhan to return to the capital to take a nucleic acid test before their quarantine ends.

Several cities and provinces have also announced that COVID-19 testing would be available to citizens on a voluntary basis. This avails the service to people other than those required by the government to take tests because of their travel history.