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The Government today published in the Gazette a regulation that would require certain categories of people to be tested for COVID-19.

The Prevention & Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap 599J), which also allows specified medical practitioners to require symptomatic patients to undergo virus testing, will take effect on November 15.

The regulation provides a legal framework for the Government to specify, by compulsory testing notice published in the Gazette, a category or description of people who are required to undergo testing.

Examples include people who live or work in specified premises with an outbreak of cases, people of a particular occupation, or those who are close to completing the compulsory 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Hong Kong.

The Secretary for Food & Health will publish the relevant notices when necessary, according to the epidemic development and the testing participation rate.

Additionally, the regulation allows the Secretary for Food & Health to specify through the Gazette a period of not more than 14 days, during which specified medical practitioners can require a person who they suspect has contracted COVID-19 to be tested.

To facilitate members of the public to undergo testing, the Government will further streamline logistical arrangements for the distribution and collection of specimen bottles by the Department of Health and Hospital Authority.

The Government will also help private medical practitioners to order COVID-19 testing for patients.

Anyone who fails to comply with the testing notice may be fined a fixed penalty of $2,000.

They would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring them to undergo testing within a specified period. If they fail to comply with the order, they would be liable to a $25,000 fine and six months imprisonment.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.