Society Should Condemn Virus Test 'fallacies': Govt

The government expressed "extreme disappointment and regret" on Sunday over what it said was misleading information surrounding the upcoming city-wide coronavirus testing scheme, saying some people have deliberately "smeared" the programme on social media.

More than 430,000 people have so far made appointments to take a free Covid-19 test under the programme which starts on Tuesday.

In a statement, a government spokesman said "exaggerated and wrong" remarks have been made on social media regarding the scheme’s sampling methods, infection control measures, and its accuracy and efficacy.

The spokesman said the programme is safe, convenient, and offers adequate protection for people's privacy.

He stressed that all personal information and the test results will only be handled within Hong Kong's borders.

“There are reasons for the government to believe that the fallacy was spread in a bid to mislead the public and discourage them from taking part in the scheme,” he said.

“Society should condemn such action which is against the city's anti-epidemic spirit."

The government also said that the tests could help identity asymptomatic carriers of the virus, adding that the central government's involvement in the testing is a confidence boost for the SAR.