The Hong Kong Airport Authority (AA) announced that it will implement compulsary testing for the coronavirus schemes at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for airport staff who are subject to the requirements stipulated in the Government's compulsory testing notice.
The Government's notice requires that any person who is at any time during the period from 4 to 25 February 2021, employed by the Government, any statutory body, any company, or engaged under a hire-of-service contract with the aforementioned organisations or companies, with his or her usual place of service in the airport area; and intends to work or provide hired service in the airport area as his or her usual place of service at any time during the period from 1 to 31 March 2021, must undergo a PCR nucleic acid test for COVID-19 (the Specified Test) during the period from 4 to 25 February 2021.
It said four dedicated testing centres for airport staff to get tested by the combined nasal and throat swabs will be set up at North and South Transition Deck at Terminal 1, South Commercial Carpark, and Temporary Truck Park at the airport.
The four Dedicated Testing Centres at HKIA will operate from 4 to 25 February 2021.
"Airport staff must obtain a Test Registration Form from their employers and present the form at the centres in order to take the test free-of-charge," the Airport Authority said, noting that bookings for test service at HKIA can be made online at https://airportstaff-covidtest.com/ starting 1 February.
HKIA — the world's busiest cargo hub — said airport staff are also encouraged to take the Specified Test at downtown locations adding that airport staff with the Test Registration Form can get tested by taking the combined nasal and throat swabs free-of-charge at the Government's Community Testing Centres from 4 to 25 February.
Airport staff may also arrange at their own cost to carry out the test at a laboratory recognised by the Government.
"After the one-off compulsory test, voluntary regular tests will be available from March onwards for specific groups of airport staff, including relevant persons carrying out quarantine procedures for arriving passengers, staff handling cold chain logistics and aircraft cabin cleaners at HKIA," the AA added.
It said it is closely communicating with business partners on the test requirements and details of implementation and will "remind business partners to notify their staff, contractors and related parties on the compulsory testing and relevant arrangements."
Apart from the compulsory testing and voluntary regular testing for specific groups, since May 2020, airport staff can visit the designated counters at aisle H in Terminal 1 to collect and return deep throat saliva specimen collection packs for voluntary COVID-19 test provided by the Government free-of-charge.
The Airport Authority said this service will continue for all airport staff.
Earlier, the Hong Kong government is reportedly mulling on implementing quarantine rules for air crew "later this month" in a bid to control the rise of COVID-19 infections in the financial hub.
