SIMIC

Following the announcement of strengthening testing arrangements of high-risk and high-exposure groups, the government said staff at the largest container port facility in Hong Kong will be subjected to more Covid-19 tests, reports The Standard of Hong Kong.

The measure covers stevedores or tally men, operations supervisors, reefer technicians, safety officers and gangway security officers who disembark from ocean-going cargo vessels. Fully vaccinated staff have to undergo testing once every three days, while those not fully vaccinated are required to undergo testing daily.

Starting from November 22, the measure will be extended to staffers who work at container ports other than Kwai Tsing.

Boarding clerks of shipping agents, technicians repairing instruments or machinery onboard, personnel conducting survey or audit onboard, as well as those engaged in crew change operations - including drivers and launch crews- will also have to observe stricter requirements.

They are required to undergo testing within 21 days after disembarkation from ocean-going cargo vessels once every three days if they are fully vaccinated, or daily if they have yet to be fully vaccinated.

Over 90 per cent of cargo volume to Hong Kong are imported through sea. As at end of October this year, 98 per cent of the front-line workers at Kwai Tsing container port were fully vaccinated.