By The SUN
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| A Filipina DH getting tested inside a mobile station parked on Chater Road |
The Labour Department
has sent mobile specimen collection stations at three places on Sunday, Mar 14,
to give free Covid-19 testing service to foreign domestic helpers.
It was the first of two Sundays that free tests are being given to FDHs through the mobile stations set up at three of their favorite gathering places: Chater Road in Central, Hing Fat street entrance of Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, and in Lai Chi Kok Park.
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The second and last session will be held on Mar 21 at the same sites.
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| Morning queue on Chater Road |
Dozens of FDHs queued up at all three sites in the morning to avail of the free tests done through a throat and nasal swab, but only a trickle could be seen signing up for it after lunch time.
Josie Pingkihan of United Filipinos in Hong Kong said her fellow FDHs should avail of the free Covid-19 test, which they could take without having to leave their regular haunts.
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“Sa mga kababayan ko, free po ito, unlike sa mga private clinics na mahal ang bayad,” said Pingkihan. (To my fellow Filipinas, this is free, unlike in private clinics where you have to pay a high fee). “Let’s take advantage of this free service by the Hong Kong government.”
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| Pingkihan tells fellow FDHs, 'take advantage of this free service right at your doorstep' |
One Filipina in the vicinity said she did not avail of the free service as she had already gone for a coronavirus test in an earlier round sponsored by the Labour Department, and was already satisfied with her negative test result.
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The easy time FDHs had with getting the free coronavirus test contrasted sharply with the long wait other residents had to put up with in nearby Edinburgh Place.
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| At nearby Edinburgh Place, hundreds lined up for the same free service |
As many as 100 people were seen lining up just outside City Hall to avail of the free tests offered by the government in the wake of a virus outbreak in a gym in the neighboring district of Sai Ying Pun.
Throughout the day, the police, along with staff of various government departments, patrolled places where FDHs thronged, to remind them of the ban on public gatherings of more than four people, and to wear face masks. Many ignored the reminder, but the police made no effort to issue penalty tickets.
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A statement from the
Labour Department said the mobile broadcasts reminding FDHs to comply with the
anti-epidemic regulations, as well as the free test on wheels, will continue
next Sunday, Mar 21.
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It
called on FDHs to take advantage of the latest round of free tests offered
exclusively to them, and for employers and employment agencies to help
encourage them.
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FDHs who test negative will get their result via SMS. All positive test results will be referred to the Centre for Health Protection, which will take care of informing the participant, and arranging for treatment.
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All enquiries about the free testing service may be made through the dedicated FDH hotline at 2157 9537 (manned by 1823) or by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk.
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