People gather in a park next to Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong on April 8, 2022.
(ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Sunday called on all members of the public to continue showing support for the fight against the pandemic by conducting a rapid antigen test (RAT) and reporting positive cases within 24 hours.
In a statement issued on Sunday morning, the government said the RAT exercise, running from April 8 to 10, can help cut transmission chains in the community and facilitates the government's understanding of the pandemic situation in the city.
The government said the RAT exercise, running from April 8 to 10, can help cut transmission chains in the community and facilitates the government's understanding of the pandemic situation in the city
"Let us all play a part to contain the virus and cut the COVID-19 transmission chain early for return to normal life, and do the RAT and report results honestly,” a government spokesman was quoted as saying int he statement.
ALSO READ: Innovation, technology play key role in anti-COVID fight
“From April 8 to 10 (or) for three consecutive days, each of us should conduct a test daily with the RAT kits in the anti-epidemic service bag distributed earlier by the government, and wear a KN95 mask when going out to protect ourselves and others, so that Hong Kong can overcome the epidemic soon," he added.
The government reminded those who have tested positive to photograph and register their test results within 24 hours on the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test online platform (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp) of the Centre for Health Protection and avoid going out.
The CHP will arrange suitable home support, isolation or treatment according to the health conditions and home situations of the infected persons, the government said.
It also said that persons aged 70 or above can receive free COVID-19 nucleic acid test services at community testing centres and mobile specimen collection stations until the end of April, without the need for booking in advance.
READ MORE: Expert calls for bigger role for TCM in HK's virus battle
The government began distributing anti-pandemic service bags on April 2 to all 18 districts in Hong Kong. The 18 District Offices have also set up 89 bag distribution points, open from April 7 to 13, for members of the public who did not get their service bags.