The Government has decided to extend the Universal Community Testing Programme (UCTP), which was launched on September 1, for four days to September 11 after reviewing the data and experience from the operation of the community testing centres as well as the public's demand for the testing service.

     A Government spokesman said, "Starting from tomorrow (September 5), members of public can make online appointments for testing in the new time slots of the four days from September 8 to 11.

     "Moreover, after reviewing the use of the 141 community testing centres, the Government has decided to cease the operation of 19 community testing centres (see the list of centres in the Annex) after September 7. In other words, 122 community testing centres across all of the 18 districts will continue to provide the testing service to members of the public in the four days from September 8 to 11." 

     As at 11am today, a total of about 521 000 persons had registered at the centres for testing since the launch of the UCTP on September 1. As at 11.45am today, a total of about 922 000 persons had successfully made online appointments. 

     To cut the transmission chain of COVID-19 in the community, the Government launched the UCTP on September 1 to provide a one-off free virus testing service for all citizens so as to identify asymptomatic COVID-19 patients as early as possible and to achieve the target of early identification, early isolation and early treatment.

     Laboratory testing and surveillance are important elements in the Government's anti-epidemic work. The spokesman appealed to members of the public to fight the virus together and join the UCTP to protect themselves and others, with a view to winning the battle against the virus as soon as possible.

Ends/Friday, September 4, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:10

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