Compulsory testing notice has returned, subjecting residents to PCR tests

Compulsory testing notices have returned on Tuesday, and those who are slapped one must take PCR tests instead of rapid antigen tests. 

The notices subject residents and visitors of named blocks to mandatory tests. Their issuance was suspended since February 25, when there were too many Covid-19 patients and the city's testing capacity could not cope. Some citizens received their testing results a week or more after their tests. 

Authorities have since distributed rapid antigen testing kits to citizens who live or work in places with significant infection risks. 

The decision to resume such notices came after the city managed to significantly increase its testing capacity, the government announced in a statement Tuesday night. 

The Centre for Health Protection will conduct risk assessment before deciding on the locations, including analysis of sewage samples collected from housing blocks. 

Citizens who have tested positive within three months, including those confirmed via PCR tests or those who reported their positive rapid antigen test results to government's system, will be exempted from undergoing compulsory testing again. 

People subjected to compulsory testing from Tuesday onward must take PCR tests. Results of rapid antigen tests won't be accepted. 

They will only be allowed to submit their deep-throat saliva samples for testing, if they have a doctor's certificate to prove that they are not fit for the PCR tests' combined nasal and throat swabs sample collection. 

As usual, citizens subjected to compulsory testing can take the PCR test at community testing centers and mobile sample collection points for free. They can also pay for a PCR test at medical groups recognized by the government. 

Anyone who dismisses the requirement will be first fined HK$10,000 and issued a compulsory testing order. If they do not comply with the order, they commit an offense and will be fined HK$25,000 and jailed for six months.