​The Government published compulsory testing notices on January 15 and 16 for a total of 22 buildings or constructions located within the specified area in Yau Ma Tei at which one or more confirmed cases were found. According to the notices, the compulsory testing periods for 20 buildings and two buildings in the specified area expired yesterday (January 18) and today (January 19) respectively.

     The Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO) liaised and worked with testing contractors to set up a district mobile specimen collection station at Kwun Chung Sports Centre and arranged mobile specimen collection vehicles at the section of Canton Road between Jordan Road and Saigon Street (also called Jade Street) to conduct free testing for the residents. Residents who were required to undergo compulsory testing may also take the test for free at the testing centre set up at Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre.

     Over the past few days, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and its YTMDO had arranged more than 40 helpers who speak Nepali, Urdu and other languages to support residents at the above sites, and together with staff of HAD's Office of the Licensing Authority, conducted home visits and explained relevant arrangements at buildings or constructions covered by the compulsory testing notices. The staff distributed relevant information of the compulsory testing notices in multiple languages and registered details of the residents to facilitate follow-up on compulsory testing in the future. The HAD had also arranged staff who speak Nepali and Urdu at the testing centre at Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre; the district mobile specimen collection station at Kwun Chung Sports Centre; and the mobile specimen collection vehicles parked at Canton Road near Saigon Street, to assist residents in registration for taking tests.

     According to preliminary records, a total of around 2 220 residents underwent testing at the above venues in compliance with the compulsory testing notices. Besides, over 16 430 residents voluntarily underwent testing at the above venues. From January 16 to 19, over 18 000 residents in total underwent testing at the above venues.

     The Government thanks the support by the residents within the specified area in Yau Ma Tei to undergo testings and reiterates the serious follow-up by the Government on compliance with the compulsory testing notices to curb the spread of the virus.

     The Government reminds the public to undergo testing in compliance with the notice. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notice commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified timeframe. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Ends/Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Issued at HKT 23:00

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