Where To Buy COVID-19 Home Tests In Hong Kong? – Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), PCR Kits, Rapid Test Kits

When Do I Need To Take A COVID-19 Test In Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, there are required conditions for taking a COVID-19 test, as well as recommended circumstances. This may change at any time, so it's important to stay up to date with Hong Kong's policies.

Recommended

• If you develop any illness symptoms such as a dry cough, fever, exhaustion, shortness of breath, body aches, sore throat, and nausea.
• For people who receive a COVID exposure notification from the CHP by SMS notification or the “LeaveHomeSafe” app, testing isn’t mandatory, though it is highly recommended.

Required

The following people must be tested, according to Hong Kong’s epidemic control strategy.

• Those who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID should take a test ASAP.
• People in close contact with the infected person.
• Household members of those in contact with the people above.
• People who have worked/lived in the same building as the positive tested person.
• People who have spent time in the places that the positive tested person spent time during the specific date/time given.
• High-risk groups must undergo regular testing as outlined by policies that their place of employment has communicated. These include Cold Store Practitioners, Hong Kong International Airport Staff, Frontline Staff of Ship Services and Terminals, The staff of Nursing Homes, RCHDs, and RCHEs.

Health Insurance Coverage For COVID-19 Tests Hong Kong:

Most health insurance covers pandemics, meaning that COVID-19 related medical costs are often covered in health insurance plans. The following conditions generally need to be met for your health insurance provider to cover the cost of your test:

• A registered medical practitioner found your clinical signs of COVID-19
• If you have an outpatient cover in your plan
• If you claim COVID-19 testing under a ‘check-up’ cover in your plan
• Note: your plan must have started before you had any symptoms (I.e. you cannot have purchased the plan after symptoms began to occur).

What Are The Types of COVID-Tests in Hong Kong?

The main two types of tests that you will encounter when you research at-home testing and in-person medical testing for Covid in Hong Kong are:

1. Antigen Test: This type of test includes the PCR test, a deep throat saliva test, or a rapid antigen test (RAT).
2. Antibody Test: This is a test to confirm if you have already developed an immune response to the virus after being exposited to it.

The PCR tests are considered the most accurate indicators of the Covid virus, and often combine nasal and throat swabs. They are done in community testing centers, private hospitals, and other medical clinics.

The deep throat saliva tests can be administered by a nurse or health care professional, or by yourself. If you do this text at home, you can get the test packs from different collection points around Hong Kong (including post offices and even specialized vending machines). After you follow the testing instructions, you return your sample to set collection points.

Note: If you are subject to a compulsory testing order or already experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, the Hong Kong Government advises you to not take the deep throat saliva test.

Rapid antigen tests are the most common form of an at-home testing kit in Hong Kong that people will use. They're not as accurate as PCR tests, as they only have an estimated 80% accuracy rate to detect positive Covid-19 cases.

At-Home COVID-19 Testing by Professionals In Hong Kong:

If you have chosen to take an at-home test, you can go down one of two routes (or potentially both, if you decide); you’ll take a self-administered COVID-19 test, or you’ll have a medical professional come to your home to complete the test.

Here are a few of the popular professional bodies that offer at-home professional Covid testing for individuals in Hong Kong.

• Evercare

A nurse will come to your home or office to administer a test with results within 1-2 days, or same-day results for an extra charge.

• Instaspecialist

At-home Covid tests in Hong Kong by registered nurses can be done after you’ve had a doctor’s consultation. Can offer same-day results.

• Labvy

PCR and other tests by trained nurses suitable for travel with certificate included.

Where To Buy At-Home COVID-19 Tests In Hong Kong:

• OT&P: Rapid antigen test. wwww.store.otandp.com/collections/covid-19
• Medifast: Deep throat tests, antigen, and rapid antigen tests to purchase directly online from different brands. www.eshop.medifasthk.com/en/covid-19-test
• Prenetics: Professional at-home RT-PCR Covid test. wwww.projectscreen.co
• Indicaid: Self-branded rapid antigen test. www.en.indicaid.com/products/covidantigen
• Labvy: Antigen, PCR, and antibody tests in bulk test packs. www.labvy.com/order-test-kit.html
• HKTV Mall: Multiple Covid-19 test types from different brands. www.hktvmall.com/hktv/en/
• Dr. Mask: Antigen quick test. www.drmask.org/product/diagnos-covid-antigen-quick-test/
• Synergy Medical Supply: Antigen self-test kit. www.hkmedicalstore.com/products/gline-2019-ncov-ag-kit-of-5-tests
• Health Gene Limited: Various antibody, antigen, PCR, and rapid tests. www.healthgene.com.hk/product-category/covid19test
• Amazon: A range of rapid antigen tests from various brands. www.amazon.com/s?k=rapid+antigen+test
• Manning’s: Rapid antigen test (online or buy in-store). www.mannings.com.hk/co-check-covid-19-rapid-antigen-test-1-pack
• Watsons: Various antigen and antibody tests (online or buy in-store). www.watsons.com.hk/health-wellness/covid-tests/c/040902

In addition to these in-store and online retailers, you can often find rapid antigen at-home testing kits from smaller, local pharmacies around Hong Kong. You can always google a nearby pharmacy and call to ask whether they have a test on-hand for what you need.

Please note that if you require a government-approved RAT, then some of these at-home self-administered RAT tests are not valid. If you are testing for your own knowledge and personal reasons, then the tests will be fine.

If your test returns a positive result with serious symptoms, you are strongly recommended to contact the Accident & Emergency Services to get a professional deep throat saliva test before going to the hospital. If you have mild or no symptoms but a positive result, then contact the Center for Health Protection on 2477 2772, where you will be given further instructions.