Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip today said the Government will not set a target for the number of participants in the Universal Community Testing Programme.

Mr Nip made the remarks at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning.

He explained that the purpose of the programme is to identify asymptomatic cases in the community as early as possible and to enable those who wish to be tested to receive a free COVID-19 testing service.

"This programme is voluntary. With these parametres, of course, we want as many as possible Hong Kong citizens to come forward to receive the test, and that would be helpful."

Mr Nip noted the programme would provide useful data on the epidemic.

"We would not set a target on the programme because I do not think it is realistic for us to do so. But no matter what, the programme would enable us to have some sort of reference value to understand the infection situation in the community and the number of asymptomatic cases in the community.

"That would provide useful data and information for us to control the epidemic and also to pave the way for normalising our activities and economic activities in the future."