Queues as Mei Foo, Sham Shui Po residents get tested

Some people who live or work in Mei Foo and Sham Shui Po on Thursday heeded government advice and lined up to get tested for Covid-19.

Officials made the appeal after several infections emerged from the two areas, including an untraceable case involving a kindergarten teacher living in Mei Foo Sun Chuen and students from the Delia Memorial School (Broadway) there.

At the nearby Lai Chi Kok Park, a long queue formed outside a testing station with around 100 people there at one point.

Some told RTHK that they were a bit concerned they might have come into contact with the students who were infected.

“I live a few hundred metres away from [the school]. Those students walk around in this area and maybe we have some indirect contact with them. So I think I need to do the test and make sure I am not infected, and make sure my family is not infected,” said Billy Lui, who took leave from work to take the test.

He added that he plans to work from home until he receives a negative test result, and intends to reduce social activities during the Lunar New Year.

A man surnamed Tso who went to get tested said he wasn’t too worried about getting infected.

“I work from home today and get tested, so that my colleagues will be less worried when I get back to the office,” he said.

Others who were getting tested included those living with elderly parents or pets.

“I have dogs, so [I want] to minimise the risk to be infected,” said a woman surnamed Cheung.

“I think it’s my responsibility to get tested, because the government appeals to Mei Foo residents to get the testing. It’s a protection for myself, and also my family and friends. To do the testing and note that my result is negative, [I] will be less worried.”