Hong Kong replaces PCR tests with rapid antigen tests over compulsory testing
The government on Friday announced that people needing to undergo compulsory testing will be able to get tested with rapid antigen tests instead of PCR testing.
For residential blocks placed under lockdown, residents will now undergo rapid antigen tests during the overnight operations.
As for buildings and restaurants included in the compulsory testing notices, relevant residents and staff will no longer be required to get tested at community testing centers or mobile testing sites.
Instead, rapid antigen test kits will be distributed to them to undergo the Covid tests, all compulsory testing notices issued by authorities will also be canceled, according to a government statement.
Meanwhile, people of high-risk groups required by the government to undergo regular PCR testing once every two to three days will now undergo the tests once every seven days.
They include staff members of quarantine facilities, airport staff, frontline staff of terminals and ship services sector, and cold store practitioners.
The government will also distribute the rapid antigen test kits to them to allow them to test more regularly between the PCR tests.
Separately, community testing centers and mobile testing sites will continue to provide free services to those who wish to undergo voluntary testing, but the number of testing sites available will be adjusted downwards accordingly due to the latest measures.
As for buildings and restaurants included in the compulsory testing notices, relevant residents and staff will no longer be required to get tested at community testing centers or mobile testing sites.
Instead, rapid antigen test kits will be distributed to them to undergo the Covid tests, all compulsory testing notices issued by authorities will also be canceled, according to a government statement.
Meanwhile, people of high-risk groups required by the government to undergo regular PCR testing once every two to three days will now undergo the tests once every seven days.
They include staff members of quarantine facilities, airport staff, frontline staff of terminals and ship services sector, and cold store practitioners.
The government will also distribute the rapid antigen test kits to them to allow them to test more regularly between the PCR tests.
Separately, community testing centers and mobile testing sites will continue to provide free services to those who wish to undergo voluntary testing, but the number of testing sites available will be adjusted downwards accordingly due to the latest measures.