Govt To Set Up 141 Collection Centres For Virus Test

The government said on Friday that 141 sample collection centres will operate for its coronavirus universal testing scheme that will begin on September 1.

The centres across Hong Kong will be set up in many public sports complex and government schools, and will work from 8am to 8pm.

The Secretary for Civil Service, Patrick Nip, who's in charge of the scheme, said people who want to take part in the scheme can start making appointments online from Saturday morning.

He also urged employers to make special arrangements so that their staff can take part in the tests.

Nip said more than 6,000 medical staff have signed up to help out at these venues, adding that there will be strict infection-control and social distancing measures in place to avoid any possibility of cross-infection.

The civil service chief added that if there's a need, the government may extend the universal testing period for another week. But he said there's no target as to how many people the government hopes to test.

He again said the privacy of those who volunteer for the tests will be protected. The sample bottles don't contain personal information of those tested, and the mainland lab conducting the tests only know the bottles' serial numbers, not who they belong to, he said.

The health secretary, Sophia Chan, meanwhile, urged people to participate in the upcoming tests, saying it is crucial in identifying silent carriers in the city.