Government confirms a compulsory testing regime for all in March, with testing centers to be set up across the city.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced in a media briefing yesterday that all citizens living in the city will undergo three rounds of compulsory COVID-19 tests in March. The city is currently facing an exponential rise in COVID-19 infections.
Under the scheme, hundreds of centers will be set up throughout the city. Rapid antigen kits will also be distributed as daily tests will be required at home between each testing date.
As the «South China Morning Post» indicated, all social distancing measures are to be extended until 20 April. Schools will remain shut and student summer vacations will be moved forward to March and April as educational facilities are to be used as testing, isolation and vaccination.
The ban on travelers from Australia, the UK, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Philippines and the U.S. will be extended until April 20.
According to the «Wall Street Journal» (paywall), foreign residents were surprised by the move to shut schools early, with many looking for flights to get out of the city as soon as possible.
