A nucleic acid testing team with 164 members dispatched by the National Health Commission have arrived in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to help carry out more extensive testing, local media reported on Friday.

Mass screening for COVID-19 will begin from September 1 and it is expected to be completed in two weeks in an effort to bring the severe epidemic situation under control, local authorities said, adding that all holders of Hong Kong identity cards can enjoy free testing.