No means test will be necessary for the giving out of a HK$5,000 subsidy to those who are tested positive of the virus, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee said. The subsidy serves to encourage citizens to take the Covid-19 test, as authorities “don't want citizens living from hand to mouth to refrain from tests just because they are worried of losing their income,” she said in a radio program. Sources said the subsidy will only be offered to patients of local infections, including those diagnosed by mandatory and voluntary tests. Under secretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming said officials are ironing out the details and announcements will be made in days. Citizens were skeptical about the universal subsidy and questioned whether it would be abused but Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection said: “I don't think anyone would infect themselves for HK$5,000.

Source: The Standard November 22, 2020 13:18 UTC