According to an announcement by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority on Wednesday, candidates for HKDSE this year will not be asked to do rapid Covid tests every day before the exam, however, they will have to keep masks on during the whole process of written and speaking tests to "ensure students and staff’s health" despite the government earlier canceling mandatory mask order.

"The English language speaking test is going to be held from March 21 to 30," said the Authority, noting students should test their own body temperature every day during the test and fill in the health declaration forms.

Candidates with high body temperature (higher than 38 degrees) or showing symptoms of respiratory diseases could still take part in the exam if they could present a negative Covid test result, however, they should take a picture of the result and retain the image for inspection during the exam, the Authority said.

It added that candidates who have caught Covid would still be allowed to join the written part of the exam but would be assigned to designated exam venues under the Authority’s arrangements.