MR YIU SI-WING (in Cantonese):

Secretary, I heard that some testing techniques available in the market can provide test results within one hour. May I ask if the Government has looked into the matter and conducted studies? If such techniques are really available, will the Government identify spaces at the land boundary control points to set up relevant facilities, so as to facilitate the future movement of people between the two places?

 

SECRETARY FOR FOOD AND HEALTH (in Cantonese):

I thank Mr YIU for his question. There are various kinds of rapid test techniques for COVID-19 available in the market, and the rapid test kit for COVID-19 currently used by DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch is mainly developed by the in-house scientific research team. Apart from constantly improving the self-developed in-house testing, we will also evaluate commercial tests available in the market or under development by local or overseas researchers. The authorities concerned will evaluate various test techniques and assess carefully the evaluation results to determine the appropriate application and usage of such techniques. At this stage, we have yet to identify any appropriate rapid test technique, mainly because none of them can meet the safety and sensitivity requirements. Although some of the tests are quick to provide results, the high chance of missing confirmed cases will put people's health at risk, especially in the midst of the present pandemic. We must therefore be very cautious in the use of rapid test techniques.

 

We understand that with regard to travelling, different parts of the world are developing rapid test techniques to facilitate their people. We have all along adopted an open attitude and our prime concern is to identify an appropriate and safe testing technique. Therefore, since the end of October, a trial run of RT-LAMP has been conducted at the airport in parallel with the nucleic acid test currently in use to examine their reliability and sensitivity. Once we obtain the result and gain an understanding of the general situation, we will inform the Members accordingly

 

MR YIU SI-WING (in Cantonese):

My supplementary question is very simple. Will the Secretary please tell us whether any space has been identified at the land boundary control points to conduct the relevant tests, so as to facilitate future movement of people between Hong Kong and to the Mainland.

 

SECRETARY FOR FOOD AND HEALTH (in Cantonese):

President, at present, rapid test services are not provided at the land boundary control points. As I said earlier on, DH has yet to identify a rapid test technique in the market that can meet the required standard. A trial run is being conducted at the airport. Once we obtain the results, we will examine its general application. Only rapid test technique that meets the required standard, and that is safe, effective and highly sensitive to detect all confirmed cases will dovetail with the Government's anti-epidemic work.