Officials in protective clothing work at a COVID-19 testing station following a recent cluster of coronavirus cases, at the Kwai Chung housing estate in Hong Kong on Jan 27, 2022. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government will further increase anti-coronavirus measures, including reopening a temporary laboratory, after the city reported 131 new COVID-19 infections on Friday amid the growing fifth wave of the pandemic.

READ MORE: HK sees 131 new COVID-19 cases, 45% untraceable

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said at a news briefing that in light of the worsening pandemic situation, the government will increase the daily testing capacity from 100,000 tests to about 200,000 tests by mid-February, and will reopen the temporary air-inflated laboratory in Ma On Shan.

COVID-19 rapid test kits will be distributed to residents in high-risk districts so that they can test themselves, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said

In addition, COVID-19 rapid test kits will be distributed to residents in high-risk districts so that they can test themselves, Lam said.

Lam also said the government will consider gradually converting the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre into a community isolation center for asymptomatic patients, and arranging for close contacts to undergo home quarantine.

Meanwhile, the Tai Hing Estate’s Hing Ping House — which has been quarantined during residents’ mandatory testing since Thursday night — will see its lockdown extended as the government expects testing at the public-housing building in Tuen Man to be completed on Saturday morning.

Government employees, except those involved in the provision of emergency services and essential public services and in anti-pandemic efforts, will work from home until Feb 11 to minimize people flow and social contacts across the city.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong govt urges residents to avoid gatherings

The government on Jan 27 announced it was extending existing social distancing measures until Feb 17, and suspending face-to-face classes and on-campus activities in all kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools until Feb 21. The ban on flights from eight Omicron-variant-hit countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada, France and India, will be extended to Feb 18.