Hong Kong fourth wave: one unlinked coronavirus case in residential block, two of any kind in workplace to spark mandatory tests as city toughens approach

Government targeting one lockdown a day as it looks to bring pandemic under control

Policy marks an aggressive new approach, as no rules have previously triggered mandatory testing in workplaces

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Hong Kong authorities have toughened their approach on Covid-19 testing. Photo: Sam Tsang

Elizabeth Cheung,Victor TingandOlga Wong

Published: 4:21pm, 1 Feb 2021Updated: 9:21am, 2 Feb 2021

Key points

Officials aim to cut down the number of new infections by Lunar New Year under a more aggressive testing approach, so Hong Kong may see at least one lockdown a day
Compulsory testing for residential blocks with a single untraceable case and workplaces with two cases or more; same for places with sewage samples containing virus traces
Compulsory testing for close contacts of infected household members
Face-to-face classes will be increased but only half-day learning at schools at most
Outdoor sports with less physical contact will reopen Thursday

Hong Kong has adopted the most stringent Covid-19 screening approach yet with mandatory testing required for every residential building with a single untraceable infection and any workplace with two infections of any type.

The new regime, aimed at driving down the daily caseload to less than 20 by Lunar New Year, came into effect immediately, health officials said on Monday. They also ordered four more lockdowns – involving buildings in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom and Yuen Long, as well as an area in Yau Ma Tei – in order to screen residents, with the operations expected to end by 7am Tuesday.

Authorities confirmed 34 new Covid-19 infections, eight of which were untraceable and five imported. About 20 more people tested preliminary-positive for the virus. The city has so far confirmed 10,486 coronavirus cases, with 182 related deaths.

Chief secretary Matthew Cheung (centre) at a lockdown zone in Yau Ma Tei. Photo: Sam Tsang

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung warned that the fight against the pandemic was at a “critical point” and at least one lockdown a day could be expected going forward.

“We hope to adopt a more aggressive approach in the next two weeks so we can consider relaxing social-distancing rules after Lunar New Year,” the city’s No 2 official said.