In an effort to encourage more people to take the initiative to test for the new coronavirus, Hong Kong authorities announced on November 23 that they will provide a HK$5,000 subsidy to each patient who is tested and diagnosed with the virus.
Secretary for Labor and Welfare Law Chi-kwong announced the new measure in the evening, stressing that it is not a “reward” for people getting infected, but rather a way to encourage more people to voluntarily test for the virus under the current policy of no mandatory quarantine.
Lo said the subsidy is intended for those who have been diagnosed with the disease and have been hospitalized, and who have experienced difficulties in their daily lives, and that they need to make a declaration to receive the subsidy.
When asked whether the policy encourages people to get infected or encourage fraud, Law said he believed that wealthier people who have been diagnosed would not apply to the government for the money, and that the measure is aimed at those who are worried about being unable to work after getting infected.
The measure has been open for applications since the 27th of July, and is retroactive to the 22nd of the confirmed cases.
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