NewsHong Kong

Again, Foreign Domestic Workers Must Take Compulsory Covid-19 Tests

DDHK.ORG - Pemerintah Hong Kong again requiring foreign domestic workers (PRT) to undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test for the second time. This time, the Government has given a time for testing from 15 to 30 May 2021.

This was announced by officials of the Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau on Tuesday (11/5/2021). "The government today announced that foreign domestic workers must receive another mandatory COVID-19 test from May 15 to 30, but will not be required to receive the vaccine when applying for work visas," wrote the official website of the Hong Kong Government, news.gov.hk, Tuesday.

This mandatory Covid-19 test order was issued because of the threat of transmission of a mutant strain of the Corona virus type N501Y which is claimed to be highly contagious and possibly has an incubation period of more than 20 days. "Meanwhile, those who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 14 days are exempted (from this mandatory test). Domestic workers who are exempted from the test must have their vaccination records ready to prove their eligibility, the Government added, "the government wrote. news.gov.hk.

Nearly 340.000 foreign domestic workers have undergone the first round of compulsory COVID-19 testing which took place last May 1-9. It was also noted that around 40.000 foreign domestic workers had received two doses of the vaccine.

The Hong Kong government will increase the booking and test capacity in this second round. Especially, on Saturday and Sunday.

Employers are urged to arrange for their domestic workers to go for mandatory ts at the community testing center on weekdays and book ahead of time. That is necessary, to prevent them from gathering and queuing in Long to undergo mandatory testing on the weekend off.

The Minister of Labor and Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong met with the Consul General of the Philippines and Indonesia in Hong Kong separately, on Monday (10/5/2021). The aim is to study the Consuls General's views on the suggestion that foreign domestic workers are required to receive a recognized COVID-19 vaccine when they apply for a work visa. After consolidating and considering various aspects, the Hong Kong Government decided not to pursue this proposal.

However, given the threat posed by mutant strains and to protect each other's health, the Government considers that it is very important for everyone to get a vaccine. And, there is still enough vaccine for all Hong Kongers, including for foreign domestic workers at 29 community vaccination centers and more than 1.000 private clinics. [DDHKNews]

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