The Labour Department (LD) today (March 14) set up mobile specimen collection stations at popular gathering places of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to provide free COVID-19 testing service for FDHs.
A LD spokesman said, "To reduce transmission risk of the virus in the community, the LD set up mobile specimen collection stations at popular gathering places of FDHs today and next Sunday to facilitate all FDHs in Hong Kong to receive the COVID-19 test. We strongly encourage FDHs to participate in the free testing to safeguard their health. We also appeal to employment agencies and employers to encourage and arrange for FDHs to receive the free testing service at designated mobile specimen collection stations. No prior appointment is required. An FDH should bring along his / her Hong Kong identity card or passport and can register to receive the testing service on the spot."
The three mobile specimen collection stations were set up at Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct in Central (near the bus stop), Hing Fat Street entrance of Victoria Park in Causeway Bay (near Exit A2 of MTR Tin Hau Station) and Lai Chi Kok Park entrance (near Exit D of MTR Mei Foo Station). Mobile specimen collection stations will also be open next Sunday (March 21), from 10am to 5pm.
The testing agent will provide specimen collection service by combined nasal and throat swab to FDHs receiving the test. Participants will be notified of a negative test result via SMS. Positive cases will be referred to the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) for follow-up and the DH will contact the participant concerned if it is confirmed to be an infection case.
Moreover, the LD also arranged publicity vans today and next Sunday to conduct mobile broadcasts in multiple languages at a number of popular FDH gathering places, including Central, Causeway Bay and Mongkok, to call upon FDHs to comply with the anti-epidemic regulations on the mask-wearing and prohibition of group gatherings of more than four persons in public places. The LD appeals to FDHs to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together and abide by the law.
For enquiries, please contact the LD through the dedicated FDH hotline at 2157 9537 (manned by 1823) or by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk.
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