Hospital Authority further tightens regular staff testing arrangements
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The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (December 22) that it will dovetail with the latest epidemic controls of the Government and tighten regular staff testing arrangements for unvaccinated staff members amid the threat of the growing number of COVID-19 variant cases worldwide.
With effect from January 4, 2022, all HA staff members will have to undergo COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid (PCR) tests once every three days, except for those vaccinated, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in the hospitals. The PCR tests will need to be taken outside working hours and at staff members' expense.
Furthermore, the HA noted the Government's plan to implement a "vaccine bubble" arrangement at government buildings and offices from mid-February next year. By then, all HA premises, including public hospitals and clinics, will follow the same arrangement covering all HA staff. Meanwhile, the HA is working on the implementation details and will announce them to staff and the public in due course.
The HA has all along encouraged staff members to vaccinate to protect themselves, family members and patients. Currently, over 96 per cent of the staff have been vaccinated.
Ends/Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:25
Issued at HKT 18:25
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