Table 1.
Tiers of community testing for COVID-19 in Hong Konga
| Tier | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 1. | Enhanced surveillance for asymptomatic inbound travelers |
| Testing upon arrival (since 19th March 2020) | |
| Testing between 3rd day and 12th day of arrival (since 20th April 2020) | |
| Testing on 19th day of arrival (since 18th December 2020) | |
| 2. | Enhanced surveillance for persons with higher risk of exposure |
| Staff at Hong Kong International Airport (since 15th May 2020) | |
| Staff at residential care home for the elderly and disability (since 20th May 2020) | |
| Frontline workers of bus companies (since 12th June 2020) | |
| Essential staff of critical infrastructure and services (14th July 2020) | |
| Any persons who perceives themselves to have higher risk of exposure and experience mild discomfort (since 27th July 2020). | |
| 3. | Community testing center |
| Self-paid services (since 15th November 2020) | |
| Free for persons under compulsory testing notice (since 22nd November 2020) b |
a
Respiratory specimens such as nasopharyngeal swab, nasal swab, throat swab, and deep throat saliva were used as screening specimen.
b
The Government exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and published in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice.