All Children Need PCR Tests For Mainland Travel: Govt

The government on Tuesday clarified that all travellers heading to the mainland must provide a negative PCR test result for Covid, including children and babies.

Quarantine-free travel with the mainland resumed on Sunday, but people have to obtain a negative PCR test result in the 48 hours before their trip.

A government spokesman said there are no exceptions to this requirement and parents can now pay for children of any age to be tested at community testing centres.

On a radio programme, DAB lawmaker Frankie Ngan said he welcomed the authorities' decision to allow young children to get the PCR tests, but was worried some might "not be willing" to undergo them.

"Some children are not willing to do the throat swab tests... We hope the government can resume collecting stool specimens for Covid tests, so children who are not able to do the throat swab tests can have another way to test for Covid," Ngan said.

Under three's coming into Hong Kong from the mainland do not have to get a PCR test.