Carrie Lam Also Joins Hong Kong's Free COVID-19 Testing Initiative

126,000 People Tested on the First Day

Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong (first on the right), is visiting a screening clinic and undergoing a COVID-19 test.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, joined the queue for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. As free COVID-19 testing for all Hong Kong residents began, testing sites became extremely crowded.

According to foreign media including the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 2nd, Chief Executive Lam (first from the right in the photo) visited a screening site in Hong Kong the previous day to undergo a diagnostic test.

She explained the reason behind the free COVID-19 testing for all citizens by saying, "Asymptomatic individuals can infect others."

Hong Kong authorities announced that from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 1st, 126,000 people received free tests at 141 testing sites across Hong Kong. Additionally, as of 8 p.m. on the 1st, a total of 674,000 people had applied for testing online. This means about 10% of Hong Kong’s population of 7.5 million either received or requested testing. The authorities are encouraging all citizens aged six and above to get tested.

On the first day, most testing sites had long lines, and about 8,000 walk-in applicants crowded the sites, causing online applicants to wait about an hour longer than their reserved times, SCMP reported.

While some opposition groups are boycotting the testing, Chief Executive Lam rebutted, saying, "The opposition’s doubts about the reason for the testing are not true."

Hong Kong authorities stated they will soon decide whether to extend the testing period beyond the initially planned one week.

Those who test positive will be accommodated at isolation facilities set up in the AsiaWorld-Expo exhibition center, a large convention facility, where they will undergo a second test.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.