Thousands Defy Mandatory Covid Testing Orders

The government has revealed that almost 10,000 people who were required to get Covid-19 tests by Monday still had not done so by Tuesday evening, warning it would take "resolute" action to ensure the public complies with mandatory testing orders.

Authorities said compulsory testing notices had been published on December 30 and 31 for 42 housing blocks, with residents required to get tested by January 4.

All of these buildings had seen at least two unlinked coronavirus infections.

Preliminary records from the Food and Health Bureau and Home Affairs Department showed that around 55,000 people who were required to be tested had taken tests at one of 27 specimen collection stations or Community Testing Centres.

Authorities say that accounts for nearly 85 percent of the estimated number of residents of the buildings covered by the compulsory testing notices. They added that they understand that some people had undergone testing through other means.

Sixteen positive Covid-19 infections were uncovered through this round of testing.

The Home Affairs Department thanked residents who had complied with the mandatory testing order, but warned it would take resolute action to ensure everyone complied with the order.

The government said Covid-19 is highly transmissible, and although many patients are asymptomatic, they can still infect other people.

Failure to comply with a compulsory testing notice can lead to a fine of HK$5,000, with offenders issued another compulsory testing order. Failing to comply with this subsequent testing order could see the person fined HK$25,000 and jailed for six months.