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Hong Kong fourth wave: free Covid-19 tests for domestic helpers in bid to contain emerging coronavirus outbreak among migrant workers
- Public health experts urge the government to regulate boarding houses for migrant workers, as the city confirms another 82 infections
- Residents of more public estates ordered to receive mandatory virus tests and undergo quarantine; housing block to be partially evacuated after inspection
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Free Covid-19 tests will be offered to Hong Kong’s 390,000 foreign domestic helpers in a bid to contain an emerging outbreak among migrant workers that could complicate pandemic control.
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Public health experts urged the government to regulate boarding houses for migrant workers, as the city confirmed another 82 infections on Wednesday, and residents of more public estates were placed under mandatory testing and quarantine orders.
A partial evacuation was also ordered for a housing block in Wong Tai Sin after an evening inspection by officials and health experts failed to conclude structural reasons were to blame for the virus spreading there.
Pro-government activist Leticia Lee See-yin, who died suddenly on Wednesday, was believed to be among the latest Covid-19 victims. Sources said Lee, 56, tested preliminary-positive after being certified dead on arrival in hospital.
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Coronavirus tests for domestic workers will be available for booking at the city’s 18 community testing centres from Thursday, with the service to start the following day until late January.
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