Improve Covid Testing Scheme, Minibus Drivers Urge

The chairman of the PLB General Association, Ling Chi-keung, has urged the government to improve Covid-19 testing for minibus drivers by increasing the number of test collection points or send people to collect the samples from bus stations.

Ling's comments come after the Transport Department started a scheme on Monday offering free Covid-19 tests for red and green minibus drivers, after initially offering the service for taxi drivers, along with elderly care home, restaurant and property management employees.

Four specimen collection centres will be open until August 1, and minibus drivers are required to book an appointment by phone first.

But speaking to an RTHK radio programme on Tuesday, Ling said that while a lot of his members welcomed the free testing, the arrangements could be better.

He said that so far only 20 to 30 percent of his members have called to make an appointment, while others have been unable to because there were not enough collection points for samples or it was too inconvenient.

Ling said that so far there were only four specimen collection centres – in Sheung Wan, Yau Ma Tei, Kwai Fong, and Tsuen Wan. He explained that these were not convenient locations for green minibus drivers who work in places like Tai Po and Sheung Shui.

He also said that even if drivers book an appointment in advance, they will still have to stand in line for an unknown amount of time, and that many are self-employed and cannot just stop working as they wish.

Ling suggested adding two or three more sample collection points in urban areas, or arranging for personnel to be sent to bus stations to collect samples from drivers.