AA Implements Government’s Compulsory COVID-19 Testing for Airport Staff

(HONG KONG, 2 February 2021, 0900hrs)  –  Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) will implement testing schemes at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for airport staff who are subject to the requirements stipulated in the Government's compulsory testing notice issued today.

The Government's notice requires that any person who is at any time during the period from 4 to 25 February 2021, employed by the Government, any statutory body, any company, or engaged under a hire-of-service contract with the aforementioned organisations or companies, with his or her usual place of service in the airport area; and intends to work or provide hired service in the airport area as his or her usual place of service at any time during the period from 1 to 31 March 2021, must undergo a PCR nucleic acid test for COVID-19 (the Specified Test) during the period from 4 to 25 February 2021.

Four Dedicated Testing Centres for airport staff to get tested by the combined nasal and throat swabs will be set up at North and South Transition Deck at Terminal 1, South Commercial Carpark, and Temporary Truck Park at the airport. The four Dedicated Testing Centres at HKIA will operate from 4 to 25 February 2021. Airport staff must obtain a Test Registration Form from their employers and present the form at the centres in order to take the test free-of-charge. Bookings for test service at HKIA can be made online at https://airportstaff-covidtest.com/ starting today.

Airport staff are also encouraged to take the Specified Test at downtown locations. Airport staff with the Test Registration Form can get tested by taking the combined nasal and throat swabs free-of-charge at the Government's Community Testing Centres from 4 to 25 February. Airport staff may also arrange at their own cost to carry out the test at a laboratory recognised by the Government.

After the one-off compulsory test, voluntary regular tests will be available from March onwards for specific groups of airport staff, including relevant persons carrying out quarantine procedures for arriving passengers, staff handling cold chain logistics and aircraft cabin cleaners at HKIA.

The AA has been closely communicating with business partners on the test requirements and details of implementation, with a view to protecting the health of airport staff and users. The AA will remind business partners to notify their staff, contractors and related parties on the compulsory testing and relevant arrangements.

Apart from the compulsory testing and voluntary regular testing for specific groups, since May 2020, airport staff can visit the designated counters at aisle H in Terminal 1 to collect and return deep throat saliva specimen collection packs for voluntary COVID-19 test provided by the Government free-of-charge. This service will continue for all airport staff.

For more information on the compulsory test requirements, please visit:

https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20212527e/egn2021252770.pdf

For more information on the testing arrangements, please visit:

https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/COVID19.page

For enquiries, airport staff can call the dedicated hotline 2182 2179.

To download the location map of Dedicated Testing Centres at HKIA:

https://www.hongkongairport.com/iwov-resources/image/home/COVID19/Airport_Dedicated_Testing_Centres.jpg