Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government announced today (August 4) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 110 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
                                  

• Central and Western District – Queen’s Terrace, and residential premises around Queen’s Road West, New Street and Chuk Lin Lane (see Annex)
• Kowloon City District – Oi Man Estate, Chun Man Court, Dragon View, Parc Regal, Lok Man Sun Chuen, and residential premises around Kiang Hsi Street and Anhui Street (see Annex)

 
     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.
 
     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose of them properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
 
     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform “Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test” (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers:   Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:        As the Hong Kong Observatory has cancelled all typhoon warning signals, the Civil Engineering and Development Department today (Aug… read more

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs detected three large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling cases from July 23 to 26 and seized a total of about 57 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $160 million and a duty potential of about $110 million in Fanling, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Tsing Yi.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Ping Che, Fanling, on July 23, Customs officers seized about 11 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside a 40-foot container at a metal hut.

     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers searched a container yard in Yuen Long, a car park in Tuen Mun and two car parks in Tsing Yi on July 25 and 26. Four 40-foot containers and a 20-foot container were discovered to have concealed suspected illicit cigarettes inside. The total seizure amount was about 46 million.

     During the operation, Customs officers arrested two men suspected to be connected with the cases who are aged 35 and 36. Six containers suspected to be involved in the cases were also detained.

     An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Including the suspected illicit cigarettes seized in this operation, Customs has seized about 334 million suspected illicit cigarettes this year as at July 31, an increase of about 37 per cent compared to the figure for the same period last year.

     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multi-pronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Customs reminds members of the public that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

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     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, August 4, 2022 is is 100.7 (same as yesterday’s index). read more

     â€‹The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 4) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus in June was 21.1 per cent at Level 3, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus was extensive in the survey areas. Relevant government departments had stepped up mosquito prevention and control work immediately, and the area gravidtrap index (AGI) in most of the survey areas concerned recorded a significant decrease in the first phase of monitoring in July.

     Among the 64 survey areas, the AGI in 30 areas exceeded the alert level of 20 per cent in June. The gravidtraps concerned were mostly located in the vicinity of public and private residential areas, schools, recreational and sports facilities and public places.  

     Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus was 1.6 in June, which represented that an average of 1.6 Aedes albopictus adults were found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was slightly abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, “The Government is very concerned about the mosquito infestation in June. Upon learning of the situation, the Environment and Ecology Bureau contacted relevant Heads of Departments, appealing to them to take immediate and effective measures to strengthen the mosquito control work in venues under their respective management. The FEHD also intensified mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments, and provided them with advice and technical support to assist them in implementing effective anti-mosquito measures swiftly. At the same time, the FEHD, in collaboration with personnel from relevant government departments, conducted site inspections to eliminate potential mosquito breeding places, and strengthened publicity and education.

     “Under the concerted efforts and collaboration of various government departments, most of the survey areas having the AGI exceeding the alert level of 20 per cent in June have recorded a significant decrease in the index in the first phase of monitoring in July. The FEHD will continue to monitor the mosquito infestation in all districts, and will take prompt and effective mosquito prevention and control work. The FEHD will also strengthen law enforcement; a total of 106 prosecutions against mosquito breeding have been initiated in the first six months of 2022. Meanwhile, the FEHD kick-started a three-week territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control special operation in June, focusing on enhanced mosquito control work at strategic areas, such as construction sites, etc,” the spokesman continued.

     The FEHD appeals to members of the public to work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing the water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing the water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs. 

     Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) as well as Zika virus infection. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. The dengue activity in neighbouring areas has remained high and Hong Kong has recorded one imported DF case so far this year. Furthermore, as Hong Kong’s hot and rainy summer is conducive to the proliferation of mosquitoes, members of the public should stay vigilant and continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures.  read more