CE: three day self-test push to gauge Covid picture

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Saturday that all residents would be encouraged to test themselves daily for three consecutive days in the coming week as officials seek to better gauge the SAR’s Covid situation.

The announcement came as officials began the distribution of Covid packs containing rapid tests kits, as well as items such as traditional medicine and high-grade masks, which they hope to deliver to every household within a week.

Speaking at her daily media briefing, Lam said the tests would run from Friday to Sunday, April 8 to 10, and that the tests would help officials “get a snapshot” of Hong Kong’s infection rate.

Only people who test positive would have to report their result to health authorities, she said, and there would be guidance on how to carry out the tests properly.

Lam stressed participation would be voluntary.

“We could only appeal to people’s cooperation, riding out their aspirations to resume normal, daily living as soon as possible, and also to be able to travel,” she said.

“We need the full cooperation and support of the people; we don’t just rely on legal instruments.”

The CE said the at-home exercise would not replace the long-anticipated universal Covid testing programme, which she believes is still “necessary and essential”. However she admitted the government had yet to decide when to conduct the wider scheme.

“When we will do it is something that we will have to further monitor, especially there’s now a complication about the large number of people who have been infected but not reported. So these people, strictly speaking, would have their antibodies, they should not be subject to another test,” she said.

“Given the likely large proportion of people in this sort of situation, we still have to listen to our experts in the government and outside of the government before we consider it a good enough timing to commence a compulsory universal testing in Hong Kong.”

However, with nominations due to open on Sunday for next month’s chief executive election, Lam remained tight-lipped on whether she would seek a second term.

She also repeatedly declined to confirm media reports that she met the head of Beijing’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, in Shenzhen on Friday, to discuss the leadership race and issues relating to the coronavirus situation.

“Every chief executive will have a number of appointments and meetings and commitments and visits to carry out during a day. When it is a public occasion or an occasion that should be publicised, then it will be publicised,” she said.

“It’s not a matter of clarification or setting the record straight. It is a matter of how a chief executive operates in Hong Kong, and I suppose all government leaders will have that sort of discretion and freedom to operate.”

Lam had skipped her daily Covid briefing on Friday, with no reason given.