Govt To Open Five More Covid Testing Centres

Health officials said on Saturday an additional five community testing centres for Covid-19 will be opened to the public from next week, bringing the total number of such facilities to 19.

The new centres in Tin Shui Wai, Shek Tong Tsui, To Kwa Wan, and Ma On Shan will begin operation from Monday, while officials still need to confirm the opening date for the one in Ngau Tau Kok.

They are scheduled to operate for three months, but that can be extended for another three months depending on the situation, a spokesman from the Health Bureau said.

People who want to get tested are recommended to register online first, while there are also quotas reserved for walk-ins. The fee for each test is capped at HK$240.

"Community testing centres provide services not only for those who undergo testing voluntarily at a more affordable price, but also for persons who are subject to compulsory testing, thus enabling the Government to meet unexpected testing demand in a more efficient and flexible manner with a view to strengthening disease prevention and control in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.

When all 19 centres are up and running, their total daily testing capacity will exceed 20,000.