Centres Fully Booked As Workers Rush To Get Tested

Hong Kong's 19 coronavirus testing centres are virtually fully booked for the next three days, as restaurants gear up for longer working hours and other businesses - such as gyms, cinemas and massage parlours - prepare to reopen on Thursday.

The rush to get tested comes after the government last Wednesday announced the relaxation of some social distancing measures, provided staff are tested for the coronavirus every two weeks and the government's contact-tracing app is used, or personal details are recorded. Workers have until February 25 to get a test.

At a testing centre in Tuen Mun, several dozen people had already formed a queue ahead of the centre opening at 9 am. A restaurant worker said he had been unable to book and had queued up for walk-in services on Sunday but hadn't been able to get a slot. He said his boss wanted a negative test result for Wednesday, when he had to go in.

At a centre in Causeway Bay, Ms Ip, a yoga teacher, said she was quickly allowed to take a test after paying HK$240. She said she had tried to make a booking online for a free test five days ago but it was already fully booked. She said, while she doesn't mind paying so she can return to work at a fitness centre, she believes it may be tough for others

From Thursday, restaurants will be able to offer dine-in services until 10 pm instead of the current 6 pm and four people will be allowed at each table, instead of two.

The government has said the relaxation of the measures still depend on the Covid-19 situation here remaining stable.