Test Centres Open For Arrivals With Symptoms

The Hospital Authority says from Friday anyone arriving in Hong Kong with upper respiratory symptoms will be sent to a temporary test centre at either AsiaWorld-Expo or the North Lantau Hospital, where they will test for the Covid-19 virus and await the results.

Both locations are close to Hong Kong International Airport.

The authority said the process was expected to take about half a day and that waiting areas and arrangements would meet infection control standards. It also said internet facilities would be available.

Anyone who tests positive will be sent to an isolation ward at a public hospital. Those who test negative will be released to continue their 14-day home quarantine.

A spokesman said older people, or those with other medical needs, would probably be sent to the North Lantau Hospital test centre, although people could still be sent directly to a public hospital, if their condition required it.

The Hospital Authority has been working on the test centres under the government's steering committee in relation to the Covid-19 virus.

On Thursday, the Chief Executive Carrie Lam had visited both centres to find out more about preparation work there.