More Than 1mn Now Signed Up For Tests: Govt

The Secretary for Civil Service, Patrick Nip, said on Saturday that more than one million people have signed up for free mass Covid-19 tests under a voluntary scheme.

Writing on his Facebook page, Nip whose bureau is running the mass testing, wrote that the number of people who've booked tests exceeded one million as of 11:30am on Saturday.

That's up from 978,000 people as of 8am on Saturday.

The authorities have collected samples from 650,000 people as of 8pm on Friday.

Earlier, speaking on a radio programme, the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Alfred Sit, called on the public to continue their support for the scheme, which has been extended four days until next Friday.

He said the authorities have received 160 complaints about their personal information being used by others to register for the tests, adding that some cases involve family members unknowingly helping each other register.

Sit said more than 90 cases have been referred to the police.

He added that the government would distribute another recyclable face mask to each citizen in the next two weeks ahead of another wave of infections expected in the winter.

Nip has said the programme could help end the third wave of Covid-19 infections here, lead to the reopening of businesses, and allow a resumption of cross-border travel, not to mention offer test-takers the peace of mind they're seeking.

Nip said a further extension is possible if demand remains high, though it would wrap up by September 14 at the latest.

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