Force Everyone To Take Covid Tests: Lawmakers

Lawmakers on Friday called for everyone in Hong Kong to be forced to undergo tests for coronavirus, saying this would be the way to bring a swift end to outbreaks in the territory.

Health Secretary Sophia Chan told Legco that the government is finalising plans to introduce compulsory tests for people with symptoms, those linked to outbreaks, and anyone working in a high-risk occupation.

But during a meeting of the panel on health services, several legislators, including Priscilla Leung, Regina Ip and Wilson Or, complained that this would not be enough.

Leung, who is also a barrister, said she believes a move to introduce mandatory testing for the entire population would withstand any legal challenge, being as it's a matter of public health.

"Some people are arguing against testing, but we do have exemptions for public health. So I don't know which doctor or lawyer you consulted that said it would be transgressing [people's] rights," she said.

In response to the calls for compulsory city-wide testings, Chan said only that the authorities have been looking into the legal basis for mandatory tests and that their study is almost complete.

The health chief explained why the authorities want to focus on those deemed to be at high-risk of spreading coronavirus.

"There are three directions, first, for people with symptoms if they don't do a test, they pose the highest risk [to society]. Secondly, when there's an outbreak, whether in a building or in a working place, we can require the people to do the tests. And thirdly, for people doing high-risk jobs while they protect the citizens, such as those working at elderly care homes or at slaughterhouses."

Chan added that health authorities are awaiting approval from the Executive Council before announcing the exact plan.