Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (right), holds a press conference on measures to fight COVID-19 with Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Erick Tsang Kwok-wai at the Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong, April 2, 2022. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has urged all Hong Kong residents to voluntarily undergo rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 from April 8 to 10 for the authorities to better understand the actual epidemic situation in Hong Kong.

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All residents are encouraged to undergo the test for three consecutive days from coming Friday to Sunday in a bid to better understand the actual epidemic situation in Hong Kong, said Chief Executive Carrie Lam

In a press briefing on Saturday, Lam said all residents are encouraged to undergo the test for three consecutive days from coming Friday to Sunday and report positive results within 24 hours. Only those who test positive will need to report their result to the health authorities. 

She stressed that the three-day testing is not a substitute for the compulsory universal testing, which will be implemented when the timing is right.

Her announcement came as the government began distributing anti-epidemic service bags to all households in the city on Saturday morning. It expects to complete the operation within seven days.

The kits will comprise 20 KN95 masks, 20 rapid antigen test agents, two boxes of proprietary traditional Chinese medicine, anti-pandemic information kits, and greeting cards.

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Lam said there will be no lockdowns during the three days of self-testing and residents are free to go out. She recommended that they wear the KN95 marks provided in the service bags when they are outdoors for better protection.