Government enforces "restriction-testing declaration" and compulsory testing notice in respect of specified "restricted area" in Kwun Tong (with photos)

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     The Government yesterday (January 31) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" (declaration) effective from 7pm yesterday, by which people within the specified "restricted area" in Kwun Tong (i.e. Block 5, 31 Laguna Street and Block 7, 27 Laguna Street, Laguna City, Lam Tin) are required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the area have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. In addition, the Government had issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday to any person who had been present at the buildings for more than two hours from January 29 to 31, 2021, to undergo compulsory testing before 2am today even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect. The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 7.30am today (February 1) and is now carrying out enforcement actions in the "restricted area" to verify that all people in the "restricted area" have undergone compulsory testing. The Government will further announce the revocation time of the declaration.

     Starting from around 7.30am today, persons in the "restricted area" in Kwun Tong who have undergone testing in accordance to the requirements of the relevant declaration and compulsory testing notice, as well as are able to present SMS notifications with negative test results or wear wristbands as proof of having undergone testing may leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer.

     The Government set up eight temporary specimen collection stations in the "restricted area" yesterday and requested persons subject to compulsory testing to collect combined nasal and throat swab samples at the stations to undergo a COVID-19 virus test before 2am today. As at 2am today, about 460 residents had undergone testing. No new confirmed cases were found.

     Moreover, the Government also assigned staff to visit about 394 households. After deducting the households in units E on all floors of Block 5 which have been quarantined, about 60 households did not answer the door. Those include some households with confirmed cases or undergoing quarantine. Some units are possibly vacant as well. The Government does not have detailed information in this respect and will take measures to follow up.

     The Government also understands that some residents already underwent testing at the testing station set up at Sai Tso Wan Neighbourhood Community Centre. Therefore, persons in the "restricted area" who have undergone testing from January 29 to 31, 2021, and are able to provide the SMS notification through mobile phone or related certification containing the test results, are not required to take the test again.

     A Government officer was attacked by a person subject to compulsory testing when performing duties in the “restricted area” last night. The Government sends its regards to the injured officer and condemns the violent acts. The Government appeals to persons subject to compulsory testing to co-operate and follow the compulsory testing notice and the "restriction-testing declaration" accordingly.

     The Government reiterates that enforcement actions will be taken seriously. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a negative test result or wear a wristband as proof of having undergone testing breaches the compulsory testing notice and may be liable to a fine of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the "restriction-testing declaration" is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

Ends/Monday, February 1, 2021
Issued at HKT 14:16

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The Government yesterday (January 31) made a "restriction-testing declaration" and a compulsory testing notice in respect of the specified "restricted area" in Kwun Tong (i.e. Block 5, 31 Laguna Street and Block 7, 27 Laguna Street, Laguna City, Lam Tin), by which people within the specified "restricted area" in Kwun Tong are required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Photo shows staff members of the Home Affairs Department conducting a home visit at a building in the "restricted area" to assist residents in taking the test.