Even with low infection rates, FDHs urged to test for COVID-19 before joining new employers

Domestic workers at Central. Photo from HK Police

Despite a lower infection rate compared to the general Hong Kong public, foreign domestic workers were still urged to avail of free coronavirus testing.

The Labour Department on Sunday announced registration for a testing service offered to migrant workers will start Monday.

Free testing for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was initially offered to domestic workers who stayed in boarding facilities run by employment agencies. A few facilities became infection clusters after Indonesian domestic workers who stayed there tested positive for the virus.

The department said it is extending the free testing service to domestic workers with finished or terminated contracts who will join new employers in their homes.

They may dial the registration hotline 1836 133 starting Monday from  9 a.m. to 9 p.m., to make an appointment for specimen collection on August 25 or later. 

Among those needed to schedule a test are a Hong Kong ID card number, passport number, mobile number, reference number and limit of stay as shown in the working visa, or the date of application and reference number for a visa or extension of stay.

No same-day appointments and walk-in appointments will be accepted.

FDWs will receive a text message confirming their appointments. They will need to show up at Harbour Road Sports Centre in Wan Chai with their Hong Kong ID and passport.

Nasal and throat swabs will be collected from the FDWs after they sign letters of consent. They will receive their test results via text message.

The Hong Kong government had a slew of heightened measures against foreign domestic workers following the infection clusters in dormitories they stay in. They sped up the processing of visa applications and applications for extension of stay, but they would also send away applicants who got terminated under suspicious circumstances.