The Transport Department (TD) will commence registration tomorrow (July 17) for taxi drivers to make appointment for the one-off COVID-19 testing service. The testing is voluntary and free of charge. Taxi drivers are required to make appointment prior to the test by telephone, and conduct the test at the designated temporary specimen collection centres at a specific time slot.
      
     In response to confirmed cases from various of industries in the community, the Government will provide voluntary one-off free COVID-19 testing service to high risk groups to safeguard public health. Among them, temporary specimen collection centres providing services to taxi drivers will commence service gradually from July 19. Specimen collection centres are located at Rumsey Street Car Park, Yau Ma Tei Car Park, Tsuen Wan Car Park and Kwai Fong Car Park. Details of the centres, including the addresses, opening dates and hours, are listed in the annex. 
 
     Individuals holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card and a taxi driver identity plate may dial the registration hotline 1836 168 from tomorrow, 9am to 9pm daily, to make an appointment of July 19 or a later time slot for specimen collection. Same-day appointment will not be offered by the registration hotline. Duty officers of the telephone booking service centres will register the name, identity card number, taxi driver identity plate number and contact number of the taxi driver. Upon successful registration, an SMS to confirm the date, time and location to conduct the collection of specimen will be sent to the taxi driver. Taxi drivers are advised to prepare relevant materials beforehand for a smooth registration.
      
     Upon arrival at the designated testing location at the appointment time slot, taxi drivers are required to present a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card and a taxi driver identity plate for identity verification. Duty officers of the contractor will collect the specimen of nasopharyngeal swab test from taxi drivers, and deliver the specimen to laboratories for testing. The contractor of the testing service will not retain the personal data of taxi drivers, and in case of a taxi driver's positive testing result, the contractor will notify the TD on the specimen serial number and the TD will relay the details of the related taxi driver to the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.
      
     This testing service offers each taxi driver a test once.  The TD will review the arrangement in a timely manner, and to increase the number of specimen collection centres according to needs including setting up of temporary specimen collection centres at Islands District. If necessary, the provision of testing service will also be extended.
      
     The TD appeals to the taxi industry to actively participate in the test, and will continuously promote the public transport sector's vigilance against the pandemic with all feasible measures to ensure public health and minimize risks of the spread of virus in the community. For details of the voluntary one-off free COVID-19 testing service, please refer to the website of TD (www.td.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, July 16, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:55

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