Chief Executive Carrie Lam today visited Jat Min Chuen in Sha Tin to learn more about the first enforcement action on a COVID-19 compulsory testing notice conducted by the Sha Tin District Office and other departments.

Accompanied by Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui, Mrs Lam was briefed by District Officer (Sha Tin) Janet Wong on the enforcement action started at 6am at Ming Yan Lau, which was conducted smoothly in general.

She noted the enforcement action included checking residents' certification of negative test results at the building's entrance and conducting checks on the certification of the residents at home by visiting each household.

As at 6pm, a total of 390 residents had undergone testing.

As several COVID-19 confirmed cases were found on a particular floor at Ming Yan Lau last week, the Centre for Health Protection mandated people who had visited the building for more than two hours during a specified period to undergo testing on or before December 21 to suppress the spread of the virus.

A mobile specimen collection station was set up at the estate to provide convenient and free testing for residents while they were also allowed to comply with the testing requirement through other means.

During the visit, Mrs Lam explained to a resident that strict enforcement action on compulsory testing would help achieve the purpose of clearing infection in the community.

Noting that some residents could not produce testing certification because they had undergone tests through the use of deep throat saliva specimen bottles, Mrs Lam said she agreed that improvement should be made and thanked the residents for their co-operation.

She also pointed out that public support and participation is of paramount importance to anti-epidemic efforts.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the majority of the members of the public for their proactive co-operation on the anti-epidemic measures, including undergoing tests as required by compulsory testing notices and complying with social distancing measures.

"The Government will take firm law enforcement action against the offences by a minority of the public."

The relevant departments will consolidate the experience of the operation and continue to take similar law enforcement action in the future as well as consider issuing fixed penalty tickets against offenders in accordance with the law, Mrs Lam added.