Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung announced in a press briefing that the city’s Diploma of Secondary Education exam will begin on April 22 as scheduled, with some 60 percent of candidates finishing their exams within two weeks.

The date of release of results remains on July 20, he said.

Meanwhile, Yeung said the Education Bureau will set up special examination venues at the community isolation facility at Penny's Bay for Covid-positive candidates or those needing quarantine.

He noted that if the buildings where candidates live have been locked down for overnight testing operations, relevant candidates will be given priority in getting the Covid test, in order for them to leave their homes in time to attend the exams.

Speaking at the same press briefing, education officials said the Penny’s Bay facility will in mid-April start to admit candidates if necessary.

As for candidates who tested positive the day they are set to attend the exams, candidates will be able to call a designated hotline to alert the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, in order for authorities to make arrangements to admit candidates into the facility as soon as possible.

Health officials noted that candidates who wish to attend the exams at the special venues must obtain the isolation order issued by authorities, indicating they were either Covid-positive patients or are close contacts of Covid patients.

Candidates were encouraged to contact authorities before 6.30am on examination day if they tested positive in the morning, to allow authorities sufficient time to arrange designated Covid taxis to bring them to the special venues.

Separately, the health officials reminded candidates that they must perform rapid Covid tests before going to the examination center on each examination day, they also candidates not to neglect their positive Covid results to avoid infecting other candidates or invigilators at the venues.

Details can be found here.