Hong Kong health authorities have mandated COVID-19 testing for residents of two housing estate blocks as well as workers at a construction site and a department store.

The city recorded 104 new cases on Wednesday, with 99 cases of local origin and 35 untraceable infections. Kwai Shing West Estate in Kwai Chung saw four new cases, bringing its infection total to 22.

In addition to the Kwai Chung housing block, the Department of Health ordered mandatory COVID-19 tests for a residential block in Ma On Shan. Authorities, however, have dismissed the idea of area-specific lockdowns for the affected blocks, even though they have the option to do so under a new legal framework.

Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection said that the infections at Kwai Shing West Estate were concentrated in eight units on the same floor as well as five more units on other levels.

The Department of Health also ordered tests for some 1,400 workers at a Tseung Kwan O construction site after a construction worker at the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel tested positive. Staff working on the first and second floors of the YATA department store in Sha Tin will also need to be tested.

The Hong Kong government also announced the closures of beaches, public libraries, museums, government-run performance venues and leisure facilities until further notice. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said both outdoor and indoor sports facilities would be closed.

Two salespeople at a Toyota car showroom in Kowloon Bay also tested positive for the coronavirus, Apple Daily learned. Their workplace closed temporarily on Wednesday for cleaning.

Toyota’s Hong Kong dealership said on Facebook that a salesperson tested preliminary positive for COVID-19. Apple Daily has contacted the dealership for comment.

Starting Thursday, restaurants will need to stop dine-in service at 6 p.m., and banquets will be limited to 20 people. Massage and beauty parlors will also be closed. The measures will last until Dec. 23.

Civil servants will work from home if possible, and the government will maintain emergency response and other critical services.

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