New key groups defined; NAT weekly for most groups

Health authorities announced that testing will start today for the vast majority of key groups who need to undergo regular nucleic acid tests (NATs), with testing required on a weekly basis and results to be valid for seven days.

The announcement, made during the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Center press briefing on Friday, included the new list of key groups and the frequency that each group must undergo testing. The instructions come directly from the ninth edition of the Protocol for Prevention and Control of Covid-19, published by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council.

In response to media inquiries during the same press briefing, the local coordinator of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Leong Iek Hou, also clarified that NATs for these key groups of workers will continue to be offered free of charge, with costs shouldered by the government.

Among the key groups moving to a seven-day NAT requirement are hawkers, market sellers, shopkeepers, security guards and cleaning staff, as well as all staff members from restaurants and other food and beverage establishments.

All bus drivers, as well as cross-border drivers, housekeeping staff at hotels and all staff at casinos are also included as groups which need to undergo testing weekly.

Other groups, including construction workers in buildings, workers at karaoke venues, internet cafes, billiards and snooker rooms will need to take a NAT every four days, in addition to a daily rapid antigen test (RAT).

This testing regimen will also apply to those working at gyms, saunas, fitness centers, nightclubs and discos, including security and cleaning staff.

Team sports players and other people involved such as trainers, coaches and managers of sports teams are also subject to a NAT requirement with a validity of four days and daily RAT.

More restrictive rules apply to workers handling logistics and cargo at the airport and airline cleaning staff, who need to undergo a NAT every two days. The same requirement applies to workers at logistics companies and those handling mail and shipped parcels.

Leong also said that this list is not final and other groups will be soon added to it, according to the latest updates and instructions. She called on the public to pay attention to the latest news and updates.

The testing guidelines will be implemented from today, with a one-week transition period so that the key professional groups listed can start their periodic tests on any day of this week. All NATs need to be booked in advance. 

The same official also clarified that, in cases where people are required to undergo daily rapid antigen testing, these test kits will be supplied by the government.