New schedule for providing free COVID-19 testing services for Hong Kong mobile fishermen and their deckhands

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has been providing free COVID-19 testing for all Hong Kong mobile fishermen and their deckhands on board vessels operating in Mainland waters since last month. After discussion with the trade, the AFCD today (September 4) announced that it has decided to change the schedule for providing free testing until further notice.
 
     The deep throat saliva test sample bottles will be distributed from 9am to 12.30pm every Monday, and collected between 9am and 12.30pm every Tuesday. Distribution and collection of the sample bottles will still be conducted at two locations, namely Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market, and Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Fish Market under the Fish Marketing Organization.
 
     A spokesman for the AFCD said, "All Hong Kong mobile fishermen and the deckhands hired on board their fishing vessels or fisheries ancillary vessels operating in Mainland waters are eligible for the services."
 
     The spokesman reminded fishermen and deckhands who will take the tests to collect bottles and application forms in person. Hong Kong mobile fishermen should bring along their Hong Kong identity cards, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents and the fishing permit/ancillary vessel permit (either a copy or an electronic file is acceptable). Mainland deckhands should bring along their identity cards and deckhand permits issued by the Mainland authorities and the vessel owner's confirmation letter (if the vessel owner has not come along). Application forms and confirmation letters can be downloaded from the following website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/what_fis/what_fis.html.
 
     Sample bottles should be returned together with completed forms, and this can be done by others.
 
     To safeguard personal health and minimise health risks, the spokesman urged fishermen to maintain environmental hygiene at all times and remind their staff to pay attention to personal hygiene to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Fishing vessels should be equipped with thermometers. The body temperatures of everyone on board should be taken and recorded every day. All necessary protective measures should be taken during their time on the Mainland or in Hong Kong to safeguard personal hygiene and avoid unnecessary social contact. In case of fever or any other respiratory symptoms, medical advice should be sought as soon as possible. For relevant information, please visit the COVID-19 Thematic Website: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2150 7095 or 2150 7099.