New Covid Community Testing Centre Opens In Lai King

A new community testing centre for Covid-19 opened in Lai King on Saturday – the first of five additional testing facilities that will open over the weekend and Monday.

There are already four community testing centres in Quarry Bay, Yau Ma Tei, Sha Tin and Yuen Long, which provide nasal and throat swabs for asymptomatic residents. The price of each test is capped at HK$240.

New centres will open in Fanling, Tuen Mun, Hang Hau, and Yau Tong on Sunday and Monday.

Some of the first users of community testing service in Lai King told RTHK they wanted to get tested for their own peace of mind.

A man surnamed Leung said the whole process had been quick, and was over in less than 20 minutes. He said he hoped more centres could be opened.

Another man said he had come to get tested so he could return to his workplace.

“My colleague was recently in contact with people who got the virus,” he said. “We may be in close contact with each other at work, so the company advised some staff to get tested before they return to work.”

Meanwhile, starting from Saturday, the public can also pick up a Covid-19 specimen collection pack provided by the Hospital Authority at one of more than 120 post offices throughout the city.

Officials say people must return their deep throat saliva specimen to a Hospital Authority or Department of Health general out-patient clinic.

Some residents told RTHK that although they think it's a convenient measure, they hope authorities can allow a person to take more than one pack for their family members as well.