Ministers Urge People To Take Free Virus Test

Government ministers on Sunday stepped up their campaign for the citywide Covid-19 testing scheme, urging people to sign up as soon as possible.

Officials said over 40 testing sites had already been fully booked on the launch day of the tests - and authorities will decide whether or not to extend the scheme depending on the public's response.

Health Secretary Sophia Chan said authorities have done checks to make sure the testing venues fulfil infection control and ventilation requirements, and the six thousand medics helping with the scheme have also been briefed.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung again stressed that the personal data of people who take the tests will be protected, and won't be sent outside Hong Kong.

The government said that as of 11 am on Sunday 340,000 people had already signed up for the free virus test.