Authorities in Seoul will scrap a controversial order for all foreign workers to be tested for the coronavirus, they said, after an outcry sparked complaints by embassies and a human rights probe.

The move came Friday, after the headquarters of the nation's pandemic control effort said it had asked the city to withdraw the order and improve testing policies to eliminate discrimination or rights violations.

"The request is to prevent anti-COVID-19 efforts from causing any discrimination or human rights violations against citizens and foreign nationals," the headquarters said in a statement.