Labour Department to set up mobile specimen collection stations to provide free COVID-19 testing service for foreign domestic helpers
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An LD spokesman said, "From August 2020 to February 2021, the Government had provided several rounds of free COVID-19 testing services for FDHs whose previous employment contracts had expired or had been terminated and who were waiting to join a new employers' family. To benefit more FDHs and reduce transmission risk of the virus in the community, the LD will set up mobile specimen collection stations at popular gathering places of FDHs to facilitate all FDHs in Hong Kong to receive the test. We strongly encourage FDHs to participate in the free testing to safeguard their health. We also appeal to employment agencies and employers to encourage and arrange for FDHs to receive the free testing service at designated mobile specimen collection stations. No prior appointment is required."
The three mobile specimen collection stations will be set up at Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct in Central (near the bus stop), Hing Fat Street entrance of Victoria Park in Causeway Bay (near Exit A2 of MTR Tin Hau Station) and Lai Chi Kok Park entrance (near Exit D of MTR Mei Foo Station). Mobile specimen collection stations are open for two consecutive Sundays on March 14 and 21, from 10am to 5pm. An FDH should bring along his/her Hong Kong identity card or passport, and register his/her personal information on the spot at the government website (www.tgptest.gov.hk. Please select "Non-Government Staff - Foreign domestic helpers") in order to receive an SMS notification of the test result. FDHs will be given the barcode number of the specimen bottle they collect after registration for reference. If necessary, duty officers can assist the FDH in registration.
The testing agent will provide the specimen collection service by combined nasal and throat swab to FDHs receiving the test, and will deliver the specimens to the laboratory for testing. The testing agent will not acquire or retain any personal information of the participants. Participants will be notified of a negative test result via SMS. Positive cases will be referred to the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) for follow-up and the DH will contact the participant concerned if it is confirmed to be an infection case.
For enquiries, please contact the LD through the dedicated FDH hotline at 2157 9537 (manned by 1823) or by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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