Hong Kong fourth wave: surprise checkpoint at coronavirus-hit housing block uncovers 76 residents who violated testing order

Authorities had set up a temporary cordon at the Ming Yan Lau block of Sha Tin’s Jat Min Chuen estate and checked more than 1,900 residents on Thursday

Non-compliant residents received a warning and testing was arranged for them

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The Ming Yan Lau block has been hit by coronavirus cases. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 8:21pm, 25 Dec 2020Updated: 9:21pm, 25 Dec 2020

Some 76 residents violated the Hong Kong government’s mandatory Covid-19 testing order for a virus-hit building at a Sha Tin housing estate, after authorities completed their first-ever surprise checkpoint exercise to enforce compulsory screening.

Officials revealed the figure on Friday, after a partial lockdown at the Ming Yan Lau block of Jat Min Chuen estate. From 6am to midnight on Thursday, authorities set up a temporary cordon and checked more than 1,900 residents.

Before they could enter or leave their building, residents had to provide a text message or other relevant proof showing the result of a Covid-19 test they were ordered to take between December 17 and 21.

Residents of the block were checked on Thursday. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Door-to-door inspections were also conducted to check whether residents had taken the tests.

Non-compliant residents received a warning and testing was arranged for them. The Department of Health would also follow up on 140 residents who could not have their test results verified.

The operational arrangements left many of the locals frustrated.

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