Newly arrived passengers wear protective gear and facemask as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus, at the arrivals hall of Hong Kong’s international airport on March 24, 2020. (ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)

HONG KONG – People returning to the city from overseas can hand in their specimens for COVID-19 tests using door-to-door collection service from Friday onwards.

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Two local logistics startups – GoGoVan and Pickupp – will provide the service. They will charge HK$100 (US$13) for each collection.

The service however will not cover outlying islands and other remote areas for now.

Two local logistics startups – GoGoVan and Pickupp – will provide the service. They will charge HK$100 (US$13) for each collection

Interested persons have to register online with one of the two companies. They will be asked to put the sample bottle in a sealed bag and place it in a container to be provided by the courier at their doorsteps.

Starting from March 19, all returnees from overseas areas were subject to a 14-day mandatory-quarantine. Those with no COVID-19 symptoms have been strongly advised to go through a free test of deep throat saliva specimens.

Currently, they can either visit a temporary test center at the AsiaWorld-Expo upon arrival to give their specimens, or collect those by themselves during quarantine and ask their family members or friends to deliver those to designated collection spots.

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The new practice will fill a service gap, offering a convenient alternative for all inbound travelers who need to submit their specimens, said a government spokesman.

It’s hoped that it will help identify asymptomatic patients quicker and minimize the risk of community transmission, added the spokesman.

Contact the writer at jefferygu@chinadailyhk.com