Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 25) visited the temporary accommodation at Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre to encourage the government staff and volunteers who are managing the site and inspect the accommodation facilities as well as the quarantine units under construction.

     Accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong; the Director of Architectural Services, Mrs Sylvia Lam; and the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Ms Ida Lee, Mrs Lam met with staff members of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) who are responsible for the daily operation of the temporary accommodation site. She listened to their briefing on the services provided to people under quarantine, including holding briefings, arranging rooms, distributing supplies and handling meals. She also chatted with a team of volunteers from the Customs and Excise Department to learn about their work in assisting in the management of the site.

     “Although disease prevention and control is not within the scope of work of the colleagues of the LCSD and the volunteers, they have been working as a team amid the COVID-19 epidemic and proactively took up the responsibility of managing the temporary accommodation, thereby contributing in the fight against the virus. They are heroes behind the scenes and I express my heartfelt gratitude to them,” Mrs Lam said.

     Temporary accommodation is arranged for persons who enter Hong Kong from the Mainland or who have been to the Mainland in the 14 days preceding arrival in Hong Kong and are unable to arrange accommodation locally to undergo the 14-day compulsory quarantine period.

     Mrs Lam then inspected the temporary quarantine units being built with modular integrated construction (MiC) at the football pitch of the centre. She noted that 20 MiC units have been completed and some 70 units are under construction with installation of fittings expected to be completed in April.

     In view of the development of the disease outbreak, the Government has been actively looking for suitable sites and setting up more quarantine facilities as quickly as possible since late January. In addition to Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, quarantine facilities are also being constructed through the application of the MiC method at Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village in Chai Wan, the Junior Police Call Permanent Activity Centre at Pat Heung, Yuen Long and a government site at Penny’s Bay, providing at least 1 000 units as quarantine facilities in total. The units can be completed and put into use from this month to around July in phases. Mrs Lam thanked colleagues of the Architectural Services Department, relevant government departments and the contractors for their hard work in building more quarantine facilities. They have strived to build the highest number of temporary units within short periods of time, demonstrating their spirit to fight the disease together.

          

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (March 25) that having balanced the public health risks and in order to avoid crowdedness to reduce the spread of the virus in the community, the Licensing Offices of the TD ha… read more

     A 22-year-old female officer who is stationed in Sham Shui Po Police Station was preliminarily tested positive for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). She is posted to a patrol sub-unit and has no travel history in the pas… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      As at noon today (March 25), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 199 patients (95 male and 104 female, aged five months to 7… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The following is a statement by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, today (March 25):

     “Our community is facing challenges arising from the COVID-19 virus that are unprecedented in terms of seriousness and extent. The Judiciary has certainly not been shielded, whether directly or indirectly, from the effects brought about by the virus. Almost 18 per cent of the annual caseload of the courts at all levels have been affected since cases began to be adjourned on January 29, 2020 (this was the start of what has been referred to as the General Adjourned Period (the GAP)). Given the fact that the administration of justice has been adversely affected by the current situation, the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Department of Justice and many other interested parties – not to mention the public as a whole – are obviously concerned over the disruption and inconvenience that have been caused.
      
     “Many organisations and people including those earlier mentioned, have given their views and assisted the Judiciary in devising and planning appropriate measures during this time. I am grateful for all their input and assistance. The Judiciary has from the earliest stages been active in planning and taking action to deal with the problems caused by the effect of the virus on court operations. Judges and Judicial Officers, and our Judiciary staff have worked constantly and tirelessly in this regard.
      
     “However, by reason of the latest developments, concerns have emerged in the past few days over the uncertain duration of the GAP, and if the return to the normal operations of the courts is to last into the foreseeable future, over what further measures the Judiciary plans to take to alleviate the situation.  I understand and share these concerns. With the progress that had been made dealing with the health situation in Hong Kong, we had originally planned the resumption of normal activities in the courts to take place last Monday (March 23). Unfortunately, this was not possible in the light of events over the past few days and we had to announce as a matter of urgency the continuation of the GAP for another two weeks. This has made immediately pressing the Judiciary’s consideration of how to deal with the further suspension of court services. Here, I would like briefly to highlight the work that we have been doing in this regard. Fuller details are contained in an Information Note that has been prepared for the Legislative Council Panel on the Administration of Justice and Legal Services issued today. The Information Note also provides details of the work that has been done so far during the GAP. I refer you to that Information Note.
      
     “Up to now, we have adopted a conservative approach to the types of cases that have been heard during the GAP. A number of exceptions aside (these have involved special features), mainly urgent and essential hearings took place. The reason for this approach was public health and safety. Court buildings are places where at any one time many people are gathered and the potential spread of infections is a very real one. It should also be noted that not only do court hearings take place in court buildings, there are also registry and other services. All of these activities also involve the presence of many people.  Public health and safety remain paramount considerations in determining our approach to the present problems.
      
     “That said, we have nevertheless been urgently exploring further ways to increase court services during this time without compromising the health and safety of court users, our staff and judges. For example, many judges have been proactively managing cases (for example by giving appropriate directions) and making determinations on paper (thus avoiding the need to have parties physically present in court). Further, as far as hearings are concerned, the judiciary is actively considering expanding the scope of hearings (beyond just urgent or essential matters) by hearing submissions by telephone, by video-conferencing or similar means of visual aid and generally making use of technology.  The greater use of technology has been urged on the Judiciary and generally I agree with this approach.  The only qualifications that I would wish to make here is that the use of such means to facilitate hearings must not only be logistically feasible but also legal in terms of being permitted by applicable court rules and procedures. Additionally, information technology security issues must be addressed.
      
     “If the GAP is to be extended and the return to normality delayed, I wish to assure the community that the Judiciary is doing its best to deal with the situation. Meetings with interested parties have taken place and continue to take place. However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the present challenge faced by the community is a public health and safety one, and in considering what best course to take, we must at all times bear in mind the health and safety of the public, court users, our staff and judges. I hope we will be able to return to normality soon but if the GAP is to continue, we will do our best to have the courts operate as much as practicable and safe.”  read more