People queue outside a COVID-19 testing center in Hong Kong on Nov 22, 2020 as a spike in cases brings in tighter restrictions and forcing a planned travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore to be scrapped a day before its launch on Nov 21. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

HONG KONG - The Home Affairs Department said around 85 percent of residents who are covered in the compulsory testing notices published on Dec 30 and 31 have taken the virus test as of Monday.

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, a spokesman for the department said the government has arranged mobile specimen collection stations or other testing avenues for the 42 specified premises to provide testing for those covered by the compulsory testing notices.

READ MORE: Mandatory citywide testing a must to clear COVID-19

About 55,000 residents living in buildings under the mandatory testing notice have taken the test, according to the Home Affairs Department 

The spokesman said about 55,000 residents living in buildings under the mandatory testing notice have taken the test, accounting for nearly 85 percent of the estimated number of residents who are required to take the test. Sixteen positive cases have been detected.

The department expressed gratitude to the residents who had complied with the compulsory testing notices for their cooperation.

In a separate statement issued on Wednesday morning, a spokesman for the government said staff of residential care homes for the elderly, residential care homes for the disabled and nursing homes are required to undergo the fourth round of nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 between Jan 8 and 17.

The Secretary for Food & Health issued the compulsory testing notice on Jan 5.

Such people include those who are employed by and will be on duty at these residential care homes, nursing homes and day service units attached to the premises of residential care homes, or will provide services to residents or users through hire-of-service contracts with residential care homes and the aforementioned units between Jan 18 and 27.

ALSO READ: Universal nucleic acid testing crucial to containing virus

People who fail to comply with the testing notice may be fined a fixed penalty of HK$5,000. They will also be issued with a compulsory testing order to undergo testing within a specified timeframe. Those who fail to comply with the order will be liable to a HK$25,000 fine and six months' imprisonment, according to the statement.