Explainer | Hong Kong is calling for a 3-day voluntary mass Covid-19 testing exercise. Here’s what you need to know
- Authorities have urged residents to test themselves daily from April 8 to 10, using kits sent to their homes
- Chief Executive Carrie Lam says screening exercise will help authorities get a better picture of coronavirus spread across city
Hong Kong is launching a three-day voluntary mass Covid-19 testing exercise from Friday to better assess the pandemic situation in the city.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the voluntary at-home rapid antigen test (RAT) scheme would provide a snapshot of how many Hongkongers were infected, while also identifying asymptomatic cases and cutting off transmission chains.
The Post unpacks what you need to know about the mass testing scheme.
When should I test myself and how do I report a positive result?
The government has sent anti-epidemic packs – containing 20 rapid tests, 20 KN95 masks and two boxes of proprietary traditional Chinese medicine – to nearly 3 million households.
Authorities have urged residents to test themselves daily from April 8 to 10 using the kits delivered to their homes and to report any infections within 24 hours.
Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, said the accuracy of the test was higher if it was done in the morning, adding it would be helpful to blow your nose before starting.
