HONG KONG on Monday evening completed its mass COVID-19 screening program launched two weeks ago, with the participation of some 1.78 million residents in total.

Most of the specimens collected under the Universal Community Testing Program, nearly 1.72 million, had been tested by 8:00 p.m. Monday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said in a statement.

The program was aimed at identifying asymptomatic patients and cutting invisible transmission chains as Hong Kong faced the third round of epidemic outbreak starting early July. As Hong Kong lagged behind in testing capacity, the Central Government acted swiftly to offer enormous support in medical resources and experts.

A spokesman of the HKSAR Government said Monday the successful and smooth operation of the program hinged on the full support of the Central Government, with a nucleic acid test support team established to enhance the testing capacity of Hong Kong in a short period of time.

“More than 570 members of the support team have completed their mission by working zealously days and nights at the temporary air-inflated laboratories,” the spokesman said.

Yesterday, the city announced its third round of anti-epidemic funds worth about HK$24 billion (US$3.1 billion) in the latest effort to fight COVID-19 and bail out an economy reeling from the epidemic.

The fund was unveiled at a press conference of the HKSAR Government yesterday afternoon.

Some HK$13 billion will be allocated to purchase vaccines, fend off a possible wave of epidemic in the coming winter, and promote no-touch payments at markets, among others. About HK$4.5 billion will be used for propping up virus-hit sectors, including dining, tourism and transport, and assisting people in need.

Additionally, the rental of government-owned properties will be reduced and 27 types of government fees will be exempted as part of relief measures to help cash-starved individuals, which is equivalent to about HK$5 billion.

Taking into account the new measures, the HKSAR Government has appropriated anti-epidemic funds of more than HK$300 billion this year to help businesses and residents weather out the hardship caused by the epidemic.

Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government Paul Chan predicts the latest relief measures can support the economic growth by slightly more than 5 percentage points.

Chan also estimates that the fiscal deficits will rise to over HK$300 billion and the fiscal reserves will drop to over HK$800 billion, or 12 to 13 months of expenditures.

As the number of new local infections dropped to zero for the first time since early July, Hong Kong will further loosen social distancing measures from Friday to let more entertainment venues reopen. Restrictions over restaurants will be relaxed with dining-in services allowed till midnight and entertainment venues from bars and karaoke lounges to amusement parks can resume operations, according to a press conference of the HKSAR Government yesterday afternoon.

Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan announced the relaxation as no local infections were reported yesterday, except for four imported cases.

The COVID-19 epidemic has shown signs of abating in Hong Kong thanks to effective anti-epidemic measures taken by the HKSAR Government, including a two-week-long mass testing program.

During the press conference, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the latest signs showed the epidemic has been brought under control but still called on the public to keep their guard up.

Despite the further loosening, the government will continue to keep a ban on group gatherings of more than four people and the mandatory mask-wearing rule in public areas. 

(Xinhua)