Explainer | What you need to know about Hong Kong’s mass Covid-19 testing

One-off, voluntary scheme will begin on September 1, running for at least seven days
Chief executive said it is the ‘civic responsibility of every Hong Kong citizen’ to take part

Coronavirus pandemic

Chris Lau

Published: 10:00am, 22 Aug 2020

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The Hong Kong government’s grand plan to test millions of residents for Covid-19 will launch on September 1.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor asked the public to take part in the one-off, voluntary scheme to help put the city – ravaged by a third wave of the pandemic since July – on the course to recovery.

“At the end of the day, it is the conscientiousness and the civic responsibility of every Hong Kong citizen that counts,” she pleaded.

Here are some of the details you should know:

Why does Hong Kong need mass testing?

Lam and some of the doctors believe expansive testing is one of the best ways to cut off the chain of transmission, by screening out those infected, although other doctors have suggested that it would not be cost-effective, especially when people are free to move around during the week of the testing. Nonetheless, Lam said it could at least provide some people with peace of mind.

What is the timeline?

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, who is in charge of the scheme, said testing would begin on September 1, lasting seven days. Depending on the situation, it could be extended for seven more days.

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Who are the targets?

Almost everyone in Hong Kong with an identity card is eligible, including both permanent and non-permanent residents, though not everyone is deemed suitable. The scheme involves taking samples from the nasal cavity and throat, which means people suffering from illnesses relating to those regions will not be tested. Children under the age of six are also excluded.

How do people sign up?

Nip said people must make an appointment online before being tested. They will be asked to provide their names, identity card and birth certificate details, and phone numbers, as well as their preferred date, time and location for the test.

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Where to get tested?

The government will set up various testing centres across the city’s 18 districts, with each centre open from 8am to 8pm. Trained medical professionals, in protective gear, will help collect samples, while civil servants will be deployed to help with the registration process.

As of the morning of August 31, 80 community testing centres – more than half of the 141 facilities – were fully booked for September 1, the first day of the universal testing programme.

Five centres have no availability left between September 1 and 7. They are Sau Mau Ping Community Hall, Yau Tong Community Hall, Sheung Tak Community Hall in Tseung Kwan O, Sha Kok Community Hall in Sha Tin and Ma On Shan Sports Centre.

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Hong Kong’s mass Covid-19 testing to begin on September 1, to last at least 7 days

What are the procedures?

Participants will need to bring along their original identity document used for the booking, as well as the confirmation text message.

Upon arriving at the centre, people will have their temperatures taken before being sent to a registration counter and, subsequently, a waiting area with social-distancing measures imposed. The medical professionals will then help take their samples.

How do I get the result?

Those who test negative will receive a text message on their phone. Those with positive results will be contacted by the Department of Health and sent to hospitals or isolation facilities for treatment.

In general, members of the same household will stay in together in a quarantine centre.

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