18 January 2021

To: Permittee of online sale of restricted food permit and Address of the premises

Dear Sir/Madam,

Couriers can make appointments for
free COVID-19 testing service

There has been concern about the transmission of virus through door-to-door courier services.  In order to reduce transmission risk of COVID-19 in the community, the Government will offer a one-off free COVID-19 testing service to all couriers (including takeaway food couriers) in Hong Kong through community testing centres.

We strongly encourage couriers to actively participate in the free testing to safeguard their health and that of their families and co-workers. The free voluntary testing service will be offered starting from January 19 and last until January 31.  During the period, each courier can receive free testing service once only. Couriers can choose a suitable time slot taking into account their own needs. Participants will be notified by SMS through their mobile phones if the test result is negative. Should any specimen is tested preliminary positive, it will be referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Department of Health (DH) for a confirmatory test. Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the Centre for Health Protection of the DH.

If couriers have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo free testing provided by the Government as instructed by a medical professional.  They should not attend the community testing centres.

Couriers should make advance booking for the free testing service via the community testing centre booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk).  Those who did not make an appointment will need to pay for the testing service at $240.  The community testing centres are open daily from 8 am to 1:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 8 pm.  

 In addition to attending the community testing centres for testing, couriers can continue to utilise other free testing channels provided by the Government, including obtaining a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from post offices, MTR stations or designated general outpatient clinics of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to the designated specimen collection points.  For details on testing means other than community testing centres, please refer to the following webpage: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html.

If you have any enquiry, please contact our Health Inspectors, Mr CHAU King-lok at 2867 5153 or Ms LAW Nga-man at 2867 5748.