Hong Kong to Conduct COVID-19 Mass Testing... Large-Scale City Lockdown Planned for 9 Days

7.5 Million Hong Kong Citizens to Undergo Three Rounds of Testing Starting Mid-Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Hong Kong media reported on the 1st that a large-scale city lockdown will be implemented for 9 days as the Hong Kong government plans to conduct China mainland-style universal testing of all citizens to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The media, citing reliable sources, reported that from mid-month, all residents will undergo COVID-19 testing three times each. Although the initial universal testing period was expected to take 15 to 21 days, it has been shortened to 9 days.

It was also reported that during the 9 days of universal testing, a large-scale lockdown will be enforced except for those working in essential service sectors, and measures allowing restricted outings for locked-down citizens to purchase food are also being considered.

Furthermore, the Hong Kong government is reportedly reviewing whether to lock down the entire city at once or to implement sequential lockdowns by district.

As the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong worsens daily, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has decided to implement mandatory testing for all 7.5 million residents with large-scale manpower support from the Chinese central government to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Hong Kong’s daily new COVID-19 cases exceeded 30,000 for the first time yesterday.

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