Hong Kongers are fortunate to have a range of Covid-19 testing options in the city, ranging from community testing centers to tests conducted by professional nurses in the comfort of your own home. Below is a summary of the various Covid-19 testing options available in Hong Kong.

COVID-19 TESTING IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS

There are 43 public hospitals in Hong Kong that are currently offering COVID-19 tests. Before taking the test, you will first need to consult at the hospital with a doctor to determine your eligibility. This will be dependent on whether you have any symptoms, have had close contact with positive COVID-19 patients, and travel history. If you are deemed eligible, a free nasal swab test will be done. The only fee you will need to pay is HK$50-180 for the doctor’s consultation.

NOTE: You will not receive a health certificate declaring you free of Covid-19 if you test in the public sector.

COVID-19 TESTING AT COMMUNITY TESTING CENTERS 

Commencing 15 November 2020, the Hong Kong Government has set up a community testing center in each of the four regions of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories East, and New Territories West, providing self-paid testing services to citizens. There are two steps for these tests:

Online Booking / On-site Registration

Booking ahead is only available for HKID holders and those with a Hong Kong birth certificate. You will need to provide simple personal information (name, HKID or birth certificate number, and phone number) to select the testing center time slot. Non-HKID and birth certificate holders can do on-site registration.

Once you have completed your booking, the system will display your booking confirmation. If you’ve provided a local mobile number, you will receive an SMS confirming the appointment, the Community Testing Centre's name, and a reference number. Make sure to keep this SMS for later use.

Collection of Specimen

When going to take the tests, make sure to bring along the original copy of the identity document you provided for booking and the booking confirmation SMS.

Upon arrival at the Community Testing Centre, visit the registration counter where you will be registered and given your specimen bottle.

After registration, head to the collection section with your specimen bottle, where you will have combined nasal and throat swaps taken by trained professionals, an SMS will be sent out shortly thereafter, setting out your reference number and the serial number of your specimen bottle, confirming that registration is complete.

If your test result is negative, you will receive a test report issued by the contractor within 24 hours. If your test result is positive, you will receive a call from the Department of Health to arrange for isolation and treatment in a public hospital.

To book your spot at a Community Testing Centre, click HERE.

COVID-19 TESTING AT PRIVATE HOSPITALS

There are 12 private hospitals in Hong Kong, and below are the ones that are currently offering COVID-19 tests within their outpatient departments. Pricing for the test, including a doctor’s consultation, starts around HK$1,500, and the price can vary based on how fast the results are given (same-day, next-day, 2 business days, etc.). 

NOTE: Some outpatient clinics may refuse suspected or high-risk cases and instead send them to hospitals in the public sector.

COVID-19 TESTING AT PRIVATE CLINICS

In addition to public and private hospitals, a number of private clinics are now offering COVID-19 testing. Pricing for the test, including a doctor’s consultation, starts around HK$1,600 and the price can vary based on how fast the results are given (same-day, next-day, 2 business days, etc.).

COVID-19 TESTING AT HOME OR THE OFFICE

There are now a number of companies in Hong Kong offering COVID-19 testing at home or the office. The test specimen kit is either couriered to your home/office, or you can request a nurse to come and take the sample for you. Negative test results are emailed back, or hard copies can be couriered.