To cut the transmission chain of COVID-19 in the community and to curtail the epidemic situation, the Government launched the Universal Community Testing Programme (UCTP) yesterday (September 1) to provide a one-off free testing service for the public at 141 community testing centres. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, accompanied by the Director of General Grades of the Civil Service Bureau, Mr Hermes Chan, visited the community testing centre at Queen Elizabeth Stadium today (September 2) to inspect the operation of the centre and to give encouragement to the staff members.
 
     Mr Cheung was first briefed by Mr Chan about the arrangements at the testing centre such as manpower allocation and the design and workflow of the centre. Mr Cheung said he was pleased to learn that appropriate arrangements have been made on the design and workflow of the centre in accordance with infection control and social distancing measures, and that all staff members and members of the public who took the tests have followed the necessary procedures, ensuring that the entire testing process is safe, quick and convenient.
 
     Mr Cheung said that he was pleased to know that all community testing centres have been operating smoothly as a whole since the launch of the programme yesterday. He thanked the healthcare personnel who are responsible for collecting specimens at the testing centres across the territory, as well as government employees undertaking administrative support for their efforts, which facilitated the smooth operation of the programme and contributed to the prevention and control of the epidemic.
 
     Mr Cheung said, "After reviewing the first day operation of the UCTP, the Government decided to increase the test quota for the public to make appointments. I appeal to members of the public to actively participate in the UCTP and sign up for the tests to protect oneself and others. The more people that participate in the programme, the higher the chances of identifying asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in the community for early isolation and early treatment. It will help break the invisible transmission chain in the community and contain the spread of the third wave of the epidemic so that social and economic activities can resume gradually and people's daily lives can resume as normal."
 
     For details of the UCTP, please visit the dedicated website at www.communitytest.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:50

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