Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor holds a press conference at Central Government Offices on Sept 8, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor urged residents to walk in for free universal COVID-19 testing without registering first as the program entered its last four days and might not be extended further.

Speaking to reporters before her weekly Executive Council meeting, Lam said it had not been decided at this stage if the program would continue for an additional three days after Sept 11.

As of 8 am Tuesday, 1.213 million people had registered for testing, while 1.2 million had been tested, including walk-ins

As of 8 am Tuesday, 1.213 million people had registered for testing, while 1.2 million had been tested, including walk-ins.

ALSO READ: Leung: Mass screening helps HK break virus testing bottleneck

According to Lam, about 26 percent of 170,000 people swabbed for samples on Monday hadn't registered online in advance, showing a growing trend of people walking in to get tested. 

Referring to around 1,500 people who had themselves swabbed more than once, Lam said seeking a second test didn't constitute abuse of resources because those residents could well have been exposed to infection risks after taking the first test.

The CE visited two community testing sites at Kowloon City Sports Centre and To Kwa Wan Sports Centre on Monday and thanked health care workers who are ensuring the smooth implementation of the testing program.

READ MORE: Experts, residents welcome extension of mass testing