The Government today said that the medical and healthcare sectors responded positively to the Universal Community Testing Programme, with more than 5,000 personnel enrolled to participate in it so far.

Under the programme, which will be launched on September 1, trained medical or healthcare personnel will collect specimens from the public.

The Civil Service Bureau and the Food & Health Bureau had a meeting with the medical and healthcare sectors this evening to give details of the arrangements in respect of manpower deployment, fit test of respirators, specimen collection and other training for those who take part in the programme.

The programme is scheduled to run for seven days. Subject to the progress, it may be extended for no more than seven days.

The Government will set up community testing centres in all districts across the territory. The venues concerned have been assessed and considered suitable by the Department of Health (DH) and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department to ensure the health and safety of the public and relevant personnel.

Various infection control measures will also be put in place at the centres in accordance with the DH's recommendations. Adequate supply of protective equipment will be provided to personnel manning the centres, including suitable respirators, eye protection, gowns and gloves.

The centres will operate from 8am to 8pm and time will be reserved for cleaning and disinfection.

Members of the public are required to make an appointment online by providing their personal particulars and choosing the testing location and time slot. Booking arrangements will be announced in due course.

Trained medical or healthcare personnel will collect the public's combined nasal and throat swabs for laboratory testing. People whose test results are negative will be informed by SMS while those having positive test results will be followed up by the DH immediately.

While expressing gratitude to the medical and healthcare sectors for their support, the Government appealed to citizens to join the programme for the sake of their health and that of their families.