To identify asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and to cut the transmission chains in the community, the Government today (September 1) launched the Universal Community Testing Programme (UCTP) to provide a one-off free testing service for members of the public at 141 community testing centres. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip and the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, visited the community testing centre at Lai Chi Kok Park Sports Centre this evening to inspect its operation on the first day of the launch of the UCTP and to give encouragement to the staff members.

     Mrs Lam was briefed by a staff member of the community testing centre on its manpower deployment, centre design and workflow. He also shared with her the operational experience of the centre today. She was pleased to note that the centre operated smoothly and conducted tests for more than 1 000 people today, and that all the necessary procedures were completed in accordance with the infection control and social distancing measures implemented at the centre by all the staff and members of the public who underwent tests. Mrs Lam chatted with a member of the public who was satisfied with the arrangement of the programme.

     The healthcare personnel of the testing centre came from the School of Nursing of Tung Wah College and was led by a lecturer of the College, who is also a registered nurse. Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), Ms Ginny Man who received her at the centre, for the support of TWGHs for the UCTP by arranging healthcare personnel to help with specimen collection for members of the public at two testing centres. Mrs Lam also talked to the healthcare personnel and other staff members of the centre, expressing her appreciation for their participation and dedication and giving encouragement to those who will continue to serve in the following days.

     Mrs Lam said that the Government has decided to increase the test quota for the public to make appointments after reviewing the operation of the programme today. She expressed the hope that members of the public can make good use of the programme and sign up for tests proactively.

     "The UCTP can help us identify asymptomatic patients in the community and curb the epidemic early, thereby enabling the resumption of economic activities and social lives which people have longed for. The testing process is safe, convenient and quick while privacy is protected. I appeal to members of the public to sign up now to protect oneself and others."

     Details of the UCTP are available on the dedicated website www.communitytest.gov.hk.

Ends/Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:06

NNNN