In response to media enquiries of today (February 18) about Hongkong Post's arrangements for its staff to undergo COVID-19 testing, Hongkong Post gave a reply as follows:
     
     Hongkong Post has arranged its staff members to undergo COVID-19 testing in accordance with the Government's guidelines. If the staff members who had been present during the specified period at restricted areas/specified premises or places prescribed are required to undergo compulsory testing in Government gazetted compulsory testing notices or required by the registered medical practitioners for the compulsory testing, the supervisors will arrange the release of staff concerned to take the compulsory testing. The staff concerned should stay at home until obtaining a negative testing result before resuming duties.
     
     In relation to Hongkong Post's staff members tested preliminarily positive or positive for COVID-19 lately, Hongkong Post, upon notification of the cases, will immediately arrange thorough cleaning and disinfection of all the facilities and mail items of the premises pursuant to the guidelines set out by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH). Hongkong Post will also arrange for the co-workers of the staff members concerned to undergo COVID-19 testing. The staff concerned should refrain from resuming duties until obtaining a negative testing result.   
     
     Although the premises concerned are not prescribed in the compulsory testing notices, Hongkong Post has arranged the staff members to undergo COVID-19 testing immediately with an aim to obtaining the testing result at the earliest for safeguarding the health of staff concerned. Hongkong Post clarified that it has not requested any staff members concerned to take annual leave or unpaid leave during the period of awaiting the testing results. Neither will the remuneration and welfare of the staff members be affected during the period concerned.
     
     The spokesperson said, "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, our staff of all ranks give their full support and co-operation to the Government's anti-epidemic measures. We offer our due recognition for the endeavours our team made for this."
     
     Hongkong Post will continue to implement measures for social distancing and infection control at all postal facilities to safeguard the health of staff and the public, and maintain close liaison with the CHP of the DH. Staff members are also reminded to take note of their personal hygiene and stay vigilant at all times, and are advised to seek medical advice immediately in case of feeling unwell.

Ends/Friday, February 18, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:17

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