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Author Archives: hksar gov

First Registration Tax concessions for electric private cars – revision of “One-for-One Replacement” Scheme

     The Government announced today (January 28) that the eligibility criteria of ownership period and licensed period of an old private car (Old PC) under the “One-for-One Replacement” Scheme (the Scheme) for electric private cars (e-PCs) are relaxed with effect from today until the end of the Scheme (i.e. March 31, 2021). Relevant criteria are revised as follows:

(a) Ownership period: The PC owner must have been the registered owner of the Old PC for “18 months or more”, instead of “three years or more”, without interruption, immediately prior to its de-registration; and

(b) Licensed period: The Old PC, with or without interruption, must have been licensed for “at least 10 months (i.e. 304 days or more) within the 12 months immediately before its de-registration”, instead of “at least 20 months (i.e. 608 days or more) within the 24 months immediately before its de-registration”.

     A Government spokesman said, “Since the launch of the Scheme, the Government has received views for review and relaxation of the eligibility criteria of Old PC, so that more PC owners could fulfil the eligibility criteria for the Scheme. The Government examined these views and decided to relax the above eligibility criteria.”

     The spokesman added, “Except for the above criteria on ownership period and licensed period, all other eligibility criteria and application procedures will remain unchanged”. The revised eligibility criteria for the Scheme are listed in the Annex.

     The spokesman also reminded PC owners to check the details of the Scheme before scrapping their Old PC. Details of the revised Scheme have been uploaded to the Transport Department (TD)’s website (www.td.gov.hk). 

     For enquiries, please contact the TD’s Hong Kong Licensing Office at 2804 2270. read more

East Asia

Suspected MERS case reported

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 27) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

Sex Female
Age 77
Affected area involved Israel
High-risk exposure Camel ride
Hospital United Christian Hospital
Condition Stable
MERS-Coronavirus preliminary test result Negative

     “Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV),” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP’s surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more

East Asia