Centres May Extend Hours For Compulsory Testing

Testing centres will increase quotas, and extend operating hours if necessary, to cope with the compulsory testing of those linked to a dance studio Covid-19 cluster, centred on the Starlight Dance Club in Wan Chai.

In a statement on Sunday, the government said anyone who had been to any of the premises connected to the cluster could pick up a saliva specimen pack from Hospital Authority outpatient clinics, go to a community testing centre, or arrange for a private test. But it said anyone with symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.

This is the first time the government has used its powers to order members of the public to undergo coronavirus tests or face penalties.

Anyone who went to one of 14 dance clubs between the start of this month and Saturday must take a test by Tuesday or face a fine of HK$2,000. They'll also risk prosecution and a jail sentence if they continue to refuse.

The government says it will continue to trace people who have been to the clubs and verify whether they've been tested.

A person who has taken the compulsory test must submit the result to the government on or before Friday.

On Sunday, the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection reported 68 new Covid-19 cases, the highest number in over three months. Forty-six are linked to the cluster involving dance studios.