Prices of rapid test kit plunge after authorities distribute medical supplies

Prices of rapid antigen test kits have dropped as low as HK$5 each – as compared to HK$120 each two months ago – after the government distributed free test kits to citizens earlier this month.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced in late March, weeks after the city’s Covid cases peaked at almost 77,000 cases, that the city’s households would receive free medical supplies including a pack of 20 rapid test kits, among other medical supplies.

Following the distribution of the free test kits in the week from April 2, prices of RATs have gone down along with people’s demand for them compared with the peak period of Hong Kong’s fifth wave.

A single INDICAID RAT cost about HK$120 in February.

On Monday, a merchant in Sham Shui Po sells test kits at HK$5 each, with a box of 48 costing HK$220. Another brand is sold at HK$55 per box of 10 test kits.

Still, citizens see the need to stock up on test kits. As the number of cases continues to drop, people are shifting from work-from-home to offices. Many companies now require workers to test negative before their return. 

The Education Bureau announced earlier that primary and secondary schools, as well as kindergartens, will resume face-to-face classes as early as the 19th of this month. Staff and students are required to undergo daily rapid tests, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on Monday. 

Lam said 10 million screening kits will be provided to schools for free. Schools will reopen depending on both students’ and staff’s overall positive rate. If schools are unable to maintain a positive rate of under 5 percent, authorities will consider whether school closures are necessary.