Quarantine arrangements for the new coronavirus disease in August and our association’s request for the government to provide free testing

Quarantine arrangements for the new coronavirus disease in August and our association’s request for the government to provide free testing

[Information instructions: Quarantine arrangements for the new coronavirus disease in August: please read points 1-3 in the text; our association requires the government to provide free testing: please read point 4 in the text]

In response to the government's announcement on August 4 that "community testing centers have tightened the conditions for free COVID-19 testing for specific groups", our association has contacted the Food and Health Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to clarify the quarantine arrangements for Cantonese opera performers. The latest information is as follows:

1 Under Regulation Chapter 599F, the "Overview of the Latest Measures for Catering Businesses and Scheduled Premises (valid from August 5 to August 18, 2021)" states that "Staff Testing" "Performance Venues - If performers do not wear masks, a polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid test for COVID-19 must be conducted 7 days before entering the venue for the first time and every 14 days thereafter".

After making oral and written inquiries to the Food and Health Bureau over the past few days, the Food and Health Bureau gave an oral reply on August 20, according to Item E (16) B of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Instructions) (Business and Premises) Regulation No. 521 of 2021 (valid from August 19 to August 9, 2021 During the period of March 1st), Cantonese opera practitioners who are not employees of public entertainment venues and use the venue but are unable to wear masks for rehearsals or performances, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated, must undergo a polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid test for COVID-19 7 days before entering the venue for the first time and every 14 days thereafter.

2 There are currently two types of nucleic acid tests provided by the government, A) Deep throat saliva test (Zunzi); B) Nasopharyngeal swab test (Community Testing Center)

• Deep throat saliva test (bottle): provided free of charge (it is recommended that colleagues take more bottles at a time and use them one after another)
• Nasopharyngeal swab test (community testing center): According to the "Community Testing Center Tightening the Conditions for Free COVID-19 Testing for Specific Groups" starting from August 4, employees in public entertainment venues who have received the first dose of the vaccine can be tested for free every 14 days; those who are not suitable for vaccination due to health reasons, along with a doctor's note, can be tested for free every 7 days. The Food and Health Bureau responded verbally to this association on August 20: Cantonese opera Performers are not employees, so free testing will not be provided.

Food and Health Bureau’s conclusion: Traders can use the free deep throat saliva test (Zunzi)

3 The Food and Health Bureau also responded verbally to this Council on August 20 to test the calculation method of the expiry date, as follows:

If a performer uses a venue and is unable to perform while wearing a mask, he or she must undergo any form of nucleic acid testing within 7 days before the performance or rehearsal and present the relevant test certificate (even if the result is not available). The venue can still be used for rehearsal or performance. If the same venue is used for performances for more than 14 days, testing will be conducted every 14 days after the first day of use of the venue, and the same venue can be used for rehearsals or performances.

• Example (1): If the same venue is used for performances
  If actor A has to perform in Koshan on September 8, he only needs to undergo a free deep-throat saliva test from September 1 to 7 and present relevant certificates on the day of the performance before he can use the venue.

If he also performs in Gaoshan on September 31, he will be tested every 14 days (i.e. September 22) starting from September 8. Even if there is no test result, he can still use the venue.

• Example (2): If different venues are used for performances
  After using Ko Shan Theatre on September 8, if actor A was tested on September 7, and he wants to perform at the Coliseum on September 15, he will have to be tested between September 8 and 14, and he can use the Coliseum to perform, and so on.

4 Wong Ming-Chuen Chairman sent a letter to the Director of the Food and Health Bureau, Mr. Chen Zhaoshi, on August 18. The Association hopes that the government will consider:

A The requirement of "Performance venue - if the performer does not wear a mask, a polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid test for COVID-19 must be conducted 7 days before entering the venue for the first time and every 14 days thereafter" is still implemented:
I Nasopharyngeal swab testing (community testing centers) can provide free testing to performers
II Maintenance Deep Throat Saliva Test (Zunzi) provided free of charge

or

B If the performer does not wear a mask but has completed the vaccination, "no testing is required". At the same time, it is recommended that the above arrangements be implemented in October to allow performers enough time to get vaccinated. At the same time, free nasopharyngeal swab testing (community testing centers) and deep throat saliva testing (zunzi) will be maintained until the end of September

The Food and Health Bureau orally responded to this Council on August 20. The Bureau is still considering how to respond to our suggestions. If it decides, the Bureau will reply to this Council as soon as possible.

The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong
August 23, 2021