Hong Kong enters global race to secure coronavirus vaccine, as city leader vows to join testing scheme to spur public

Government taking part in WHO programme that will pool resources, but also actively seeking out medical firms with potential, asking Beijing for help

The revelation comes as 27 new infections were recorded on Friday, continuing a recent downward trend

Reading Time:5 minutes

Shoppers in Hong Kong wear protective gear at a market in Mong Kok. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 11:51am, 21 Aug 2020Updated: 8:42pm, 25 Nov 2020

Key points:

•Hong Kong has joined global efforts in securing Covid-19 vaccines, including being part of an international vaccine distribution programme and getting in touch with different drug makers

•Citywide voluntary coronavirus testing is set to begin on September 1. No participation target has been set by the government

•Top officials say implementing health code within city to confirm infection-free status is “unfeasible”, but this system would be used for travel in the future

•Social-distancing measures may be relaxed before the completion of citywide testing

•Domestic workers in an employment transition to get free Covid-19 tests at a designated location

Hong Kong has entered a global competition to secure Covid-19 vaccines and is set to launch a free coronavirus testing programme for all residents, which the city’s leader and her top officials have pledged to join to encourage public participation.

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