The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 8 on the evening of July 1 as Severe Tropical Storm CHABA moved closer to the city. This signal will remain in force till before 4 p.m. Many areas of the SAR are still experiencing gale force gusts and storm force winds may occur offshore and on high hills.

When the HKO announced it would hoist a Signal 8 warning, many Hongkongers who need to undergo compulsory Covid-19 testing on July 1 and 2 had questions on social media about how they could get to a testing centre. Here is how a tropical warning signal affects compulsory testing requirements and centres across Hong Kong:

  1. If a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above is issued or post-super typhoon extreme conditions are announced, the date for compulsory testing is extended for one day.
  2. If a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued, testing is extended for one day.

These details are included in every Compulsory Testing Notice (CTN) that the government issues. However, the authorities do not issue CTNs when a Signal No. 8 is in force.

In addition, the following testing facilities are closed depending on the signal issued by the HKO:

  1. Community Testing Centres (CTCs): CTCs are closed if Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher is hoisted and will reopen if the signal is cancelled before 2 p.m. that day. If a black rainstorm warning signal is issued, residents who have already arrived at the CTCs while they are still open can get tested.
  2. Mobile specimen collection stations: Outdoor mobile specimen collection stations are closed if Strong Wind Signal No. 3 or Red Rainstorm Warning Signal is hoisted. They will only reopen if the signal is cancelled before 12 p.m. that day. All mobile specimen collection stations are closed if No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal or higher, or a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is hoisted. The mobile stations will only reopen if the signal is cancelled before 2 p.m.
See also
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Read our guide to Hong Kong Typhoon Signals here, and get a checklist on how to prepare for a typhoon here.

Header image credits: Hugo Poon via Flickr

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From the Middle East to the Far East and a couple of places in between, Anjali has lived in no fewer than seven cities in Asia, and has travelled extensively in the region. She worked as a lifestyle journalist in India before coming to Hong Kong, where her favourite thing to do is island-hopping with her daughter. You can check out her musings on motherhood, courtesy her Instagram profile.

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