12 min read
There has been an explosion of information, comments and opinions on COVID-19 on the internet and social media. We believe that on serious topics in general, and on public health matters in particular, it is essential to rely on facts and seek credible, expert information. Our mission at Healthy Matters remains to bring you the best information, so you can make the best choices for you and your family.
Where to get tested for COVID-19 in Hong Kong? Who is eligible? How much does it cost? Our Healthy Matters team has done all the research for you, so you don't have to.
IMPORTANT: We do not provide any COVID-19 tests. To get tested, please contact the provider of your choice: phone numbers and websites are listed below. This guide does not aim to be exhaustive. It is informative only and based on our independent research.
You are recommended to get tested if you develop any major COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, tiredness, dry cough. Other minor symptoms to watch out for include shortness of breath, aches, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea and a runny nose.
You should also consider getting tested if you have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
High-risk groups are required by the government to undergo regular PCR testing, they include:
As part of the city’s epidemic control strategy, the government requires people who may have been to places with infected cases to undergo compulsory testing.
The below groups should undergo testing within two days after the issue of the compulsory testing notice.
1. Household members of close contacts
2. Persons who resided or worked in the same building as mutant strain cases^
3. Persons who had been present at Places Visited by Tested Preliminarily Positive Cases/ Tested Positive Cases during the specified date(s) and time period(s)#**
Testing is not mandatory but highly recommended to those who receive COVID-19 exposure notification from the “LeaveHomeSafe” app or SMS notification from the CHP.
^[Official list of buildings resided by COVID-19 cases](https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf)
#Official list of specified places
Enquiry hotlines:
For tests that require a combined sample of nasal and throat swabs
1. Community testing centres (CTCs)
Testing is provided free of charge if ordered by the Department of Health’s compulsory testing notice, otherwise, each test costs HK$240 for traveling, work or other personal purposes.
Booking and walk-in services are available, but priority will be given to those with advance booking via the online system or on-site registration. However, as the demand for testing services has surged recently under the fifth wave, many timeslots may be fully booked and walk-in service may be delayed. The government suggests citizens to consider other time slots or other means for a COVID-19 test.
Test results are available in 24 hours and those who test positive will receive a call from the Department of Health to arrange for quarantine and treatments.
You may dial 6275 6901 to enquire for details and walk-in quotas at testing centres.
2. Mobile specimen collection stations
A number of mobile stations are set up in different districts to serve local residents and workers subject to compulsory testing by providing free testing services. For the addresses and opening hours, please refer to the government’s thematic website here.
To ease the long waiting time, ticketing machines have been set up in some of the locations and citizens may check the real-time queuing status at https://event.thegulu.com/site_list/TESTING_CENTER.
3. Recognized private laboratories
Other than the public routes, you may choose to undergo testing at any of the private laboratories recognized by the Department of Health. The cost can run from HK$300 to $2,000, varying across providers, so be sure to check the pricing and included service items in advance and make an appointment with the provider directly.
See the health insurance section on our partner Alea for questions about insurance coverage.
*Stool specimen collection packs from the Centre of Health Protection are available as an alternative for children below 3 years old and those not suitable for respiratory specimen collection.
For tests that require deep throat saliva sample (as marked in the compulsory testing notice)
1. Specimen collection pack from post offices, MTR stations or HA general outpatient clinics
You may obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection bottle for free from any of the 120 post offices, vending machines at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points.
2. HA general outpatient clinics
Applicable with instruction from a medical professional of the Hospital Authority.
3. Recognized private laboratories
Other than the public routes, you may choose to undergo testing at any of the private laboratories recognized by the Department of Health. The cost can run from HK$300 to $2,000, varying across providers, so be sure to check the pricing and included service items in advance and make an appointment with the provider directly.
See the health insurance section on our partner Alea for questions about insurance coverage.
People subjected to compulsory testing notice must keep the SMS notification and the relevant medical certificate with the test results for verification by a law enforcement officer. Failure to comply with a compulsory testing notice may result in a fine of HK$10,000 in addition to a compulsory testing order requiring one to undergo testing within a specified time.
Note that the above testing routes are intended for asymptomatic persons. If you experience any symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately. Registered medical practitioners are also entitled to issue compulsory testing direction, upon receiving which one should undergo testing by either:
On February 22, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the government’s plan to launch the “Compulsory Universal Testing” (CUT) scheme in March. According to the CE, the scheme is expected to “isolate more cases of COVID-19 in the community in order to cut off hidden transmission routes”.
In the scheme, all Hong Kong citizens will be required to undergo PCR testing for 3 rounds in total after booking online. Between each test, residents will be given self-test kits to be done at home every day to rule out undetected infections.
However, in a daily press briefing on March 9, Carrie Lam said the mass testing scheme is no longer a priority at the current stage, while the government will proceed with planning and preparation for a “suitable time”.
Arrangements are subject to changes as more details are announced by the government. Stay tuned!
Hong Kong citizens who need to prove their health status could sign up for COVID-19 screening at a cost of HK$240 at government Community Testing Centres. This testing service is also available to persons under compulsory testing and persons in certain targeted groups for free. The scheme has been launched and you can click here for an appointment.
The Hospital Authority (HA) provides specimen collection packs and collects specimens through its 47 general out-patient clinics (GOPCs). Since 28 November 2020, the Government also extends the distribution points for specimen collection packs to the 121 post offices (except mobile post offices).
In addition, the MTR Corporation has set up vending machines at 20 MTR stations for the public to collect COVID-19 specimen collection packs, including Ngau Tau Kok, Kwai Fong, North Point, Tiu Keng Leng, Wong Chuk Hang, Tai Wai, Tai Po Market, Siu Hong, Kowloon, Tsing Yi, Shau Kei Wan, Wan Chai, Sai Ying Pun, Ho Man Tin, Prince Edward, Kai Tak, Wu Kai Sha, Tsuen Wan West, Sheung Shui and Tung Chung stations
Two types of COVID-19 tests are available:
Laboratories compare the genetic material obtained with the genetic code of the virus this test is also known as a PCR test. Results for swab tests will usually take a couple of days but some places offer next-day results. This is the golden standard in Hong Kong as it has high sensitivity and over 97% accuracy.
The collected sample of blood will be tested for antibodies fighting COVID-19. Blood tests done in clinics or hospitals can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days but the at-home finger-prick tests only take 15 minutes.
The finger prick test (or antibody test) has been neither validated nor standardized and has a high incidence of false positive results when the patient exhibits no symptoms.
*It is important to note that this at-home test cannot be used as the sole basis for diagnosis and that further testing will be required in the event of a positive result. The DNA test (or PCR test) is the only valid test accepted to prove you are COVID-free.