The Labour Department (LD) of Hong Kong announced today (Nov. 27) that it will continue to provide another round of free COVID-19 testing services from Dec. 1 to Dec. 24 to foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) who are waiting to take up employment with new families.
Eligible FDHs can pick up or return the specimen collection packs from Dec. 1 onwards at the temporary distribution/collection point located at Wan Chai Sports Ground, 20 Tonnochy Road, Wanchai, with no appointment necessary. The temporary distribution/collection point will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Dec. 23 is the last day for collecting the specimen collection packs, and users should return the samples on or before Dec. 24. The testing is free of charge.
The FDHs should bring along their identity document and sign a consent form to indicate consent to the test. After collecting the specimen collection pack, the FDH should register her/his personal information on the government website (www.tgptest.gov.hk) to receive notification of the testing results by SMS. Duty officers can assist the FDH in registration if needed. The FDHs should return their deep throat saliva sample to the temporary collection point within the same day of self-collection.
From Aug. 25 to Nov. 21, the government has arranged two rounds of free testing service for FDHs whose employment contracts had expired or terminated and who were waiting to join new families. The LD calls on employment agencies to assist in arranging for FDHs to go to the temporary collection point for testing. The LD also advises employers to request valid negative test results of their FDHs before they join the family.
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