The Government announced that it will set up temporary testing centres in locations related to recent community outbreak clusters in view of the worsening COVID-19 epidemic situation.

The testing centres will be set up in phases in four districts, namely Wan Chai, Kwai Tsing, Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong, to collect specimens from the public willing to take the test voluntarily.

The Wan Chai Temporary Testing Centre, located at Harbour Road Sports Centre, will commence operation from 10am tomorrow.

The Kwai Tsing Temporary Testing Centre, located at Shek Lei Community Hall, will begin operating at 1pm on October 11.

The two other districts where temporary testing centres will be set up are Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong.

The Government said it decided to set up such testing centres to facilitate proactive testing of the public in order to identify COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic patients as early as possible and cut the transmission chains in the community.

The temporary district-based testing is voluntary, free of charge and no appointment is required.

Wan Chai Temporary Testing Centre will open from 10am to 8pm tomorrow, and from 8am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 8pm between October 11 and 14.

Kwai Tsing Temporary Testing Centre will open from 1pm to 8pm on October 11, and from 8am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 8pm between October 12 and 14.

The specimen collection and testing services in the centres in Wan Chai and Kwai Tsing are provided by BGI and Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre. The expected daily testing capacity of each of them is 1,000 specimens.

Those who consider themselves as having a higher risk of exposure to the virus may visit any of the testing centres for taking combined nasal and throat swab specimens.

Upon arrival at the testing centres, people must show their Hong Kong identity card, birth certificate or any other valid identity document, and provide their mobile telephone number for registration.

After the registration, medical or healthcare personnel will collect the specimens. Those whose test results are negative will be informed by SMS through their registered mobile phone number within two to three days. If the test result is positive, the case will be referred to the Centre for Health Protection for immediate follow-up.

Except for children aged under six and people not suitable for the test, holders of valid Hong Kong identity cards, birth certificates or any other valid identity document who are asymptomatic can visit the nearest temporary test centre for specimen collection.

The Government explained that it is working on setting up the temporary testing centres in Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong and will announce details in due course.

Infection control measures will be initiated at the centres in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. There will also be an adequate supply of protective equipment for personnel manning the testing centres.

The Government added that all specimens and personal data collected will not be transported outside Hong Kong and the specimens will be destroyed after testing.