The Government today (January 17) continued to arrange compulsory testings for buildings or constructions located at the specified area in Yau Ma Tei with one or more confirmed cases. According to the compulsory testing notices published on January 15 and 16, a total of 22 buildings within the specified area in Yau Ma Tei were covered by the compulsory testing notices.

     The Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO) liaised and worked with testing contractors to set up a district mobile specimen collection station at Kwun Chung Sports Centre and arranged mobile specimen collection vehicles at the section of Canton Road between Jordan Road and Saigon Street (also called Jade Street) to conduct free testing for the residents from 10am to 8pm. Residents who are required to undergo compulsory testing may also take the test for free at the testing centre set up at Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre (opening hours from 8am to 8pm).

     The Home Affairs Department (HAD) and its YTMDO have arranged a number of helpers who speak Nepali, Urdu and other languages to support residents at the sites above, and together with staff of HAD's Office of the Licensing Authority, to conduct home visits and explain relevant arrangements at buildings or constructions covered by the compulsory testing notices. The staff distributed relevant information of the compulsory testing notices in multiple languages and registered details of the residents to facilitate follow-up on compulsory testing in the future. Over 370 households were successfully registered today, over 810 households in total were registered yesterday and today. Home visits will continue tomorrow.

     According to preliminary records, over 660 residents underwent testing at the above venues in compliance with the compulsory testing notices today. Besides, over 3 180 residents voluntarily underwent testing at the above venues. In these two days (January 16 and 17), over 7 100 residents in total underwent testing at the above venues.

     The Government thanks the support by the residents within the specified area in Yau Ma Tei to undergo testings and appeals to persons who are required to comply with the compulsory testing notices to undergo testing as soon as possible within the period specified in the relevant compulsory testing notices, and reiterates the serious follow-up by the Government on compliance with the compulsory testing notices to curb the spread of the virus.

     The Government reminds the public to undergo testing in compliance with the notice. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notice commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified timeframe. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Ends/Sunday, January 17, 2021
Issued at HKT 23:31

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