Health officials tighten requirements at airport

The Centre for Health Protection has told doctors and private hospitals that the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch will provide free Covid-19 tests. File photo: RTHK

The Department of Health said that all passengers arriving in Hong Kong from midnight on Saturday will be required to complete and submit a health declaration form. Previously, this just applied to inbound flights from the mainland.



The Health Department said travellers from the mainland can fill in the declaration on their mobile device, and this will be extended to all incoming travellers from midnight on Saturday.



The department is also advising members of the public to delay all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong because of the spread of the coronavirus around the world.



It also said that the Centre for Health Protection has written to doctors and private hospitals to inform them that the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch will provide free testing on Covid-19 virus for samples submitted by private doctors. The move is intended to identify coronavirus cases early and minimise the spread of the disease.