Go to main content
 
Government to retain five testing points for providing self-paid nucleic acid testing service starting next Wednesday
******************************************************************************************
     The Government announced today (March 15) that the demand for nucleic acid testing service has significantly decreased recently following the gradual lifting of pre-departure COVID-19 nucleic acid testing requirements around the world. Therefore, the Government will retain the operation of five community testing centres and community testing stations (CTC/CTSs) only to continue the provision of self-paid nucleic acid testing service starting from next Wednesday (March 22), whereas the remaining 16 existing CTC/CTSs will cease operation from the same day.

     Having reviewed the recent service situation, the demand for nucleic acid testing service is expected to keep on lowering. For better utilisation of resources, the Government will retain the following five CTC/CTSs with higher usage (see Annex for details) to continue the provision of self-paid nucleic acid testing service for citizens who need to obtain test results (e.g. certifications for work or travelling purposes) from March 22.

1.     Edinburgh Place, Central
2.     Leighton Hill Community Hall, Causeway Bay
3.     Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
4.     Lek Yuen Community Hall, Sha Tin
5.     Yuen Long Town East Community Hall
 
     The five CTC/CTSs will remain open from 10am to 8pm daily and will be closed from 1.30pm to 2pm/2.30pm for deep cleaning and disinfection. For details of the self-paid testing service and pricing arrangements, please refer to the following webpage: www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/about. "Express self-paid service" is primarily intended for offering greater convenience for individual citizens in need with limited quota on a first-come, first-served basis.

     Apart from those five testing points, a rapid nucleic acid testing centre operating 24 hours a day is being set up at Hong Kong International Airport to enable travellers to undergo self-paid tests prior to departure and obtain results within two hours. Citizens may also make their own arrangements for nucleic acid tests provided by local testing institutions. The list and locations of nucleic acid testing institutions recognised by the Government can be found on the following webpage: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories.pdf

     A Government spokesman said, the 16 CTC/CTSs about to cease operation will revert to their original community and recreational uses as soon as practicable. All the 64 community and recreational sites released earlier have been returned to the venue managers.
 
     The spokesman said, "The Government will continue to review the demand for nucleic acid testing and maintain close communication with testing contractors. Depending on actual circumstances, the Government will cease operation of all CTC/CTSs in due course. Upon the closing of all CTC/CTSs in the future, citizens requiring testing service may continue to undergo self-paid tests at testing institutions recognised by the Government."
 
Ends/Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Issued at HKT 21:53
NNNN
Today's Press Releases  

Attachment

Annex