The Government today (July 25) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" effective from 5pm under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Wong Tai Sin ( i.e. Ching Yi House, Tsz Ching Estate, Wong Tai Sin, excluding non-domestic units on ground floor of Ching Yi House, see Annex) are required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the "restricted area" have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. The Government aims at finishing this exercise at around 10am tomorrow (July 26). The operation may be extended depending on test results.
 
     A Government spokesman said, "Under Cap. 599J, the Government can, according to the needs of infection control, make a 'restriction-testing declaration'. Having reviewed a basket of factors, including the viral load in sewage, the information of relevant positive cases, and other circumstantial factors, and conducted a risk assessment, the Government decided to make a 'restriction-testing declaration' for the relevant area."
 
     The Government will set up temporary specimen collection stations at the "restricted area" and request persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo testing before 11pm today. Arrangements will be made for persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo a nucleic acid test at specimen collection stations where dedicated staff will collect samples through combined nasal and throat swabs. Persons subject to compulsory testing must stay at their place of residence until all test results are ascertained to avoid cross-infection risk. The Government will make arrangement to facilitate specimen collection for people with impaired mobility. All persons in the "restricted area" who have tested positive in the past 14 days, including positive cases identified either by nucleic acid tests recorded by the Department of Health (DH) or by rapid antigen tests that have been self-declared to the DH, are not required to undergo testing in this compulsory testing exercise.
 
     The Government spokesman said, "We understand that this exercise will cause inconvenience to the public. The Government has made arrangements to carry out testing for all persons present in the 'restricted area' as soon as possible. The aim is to strive to complete testing of all identified persons subject to compulsory testing and confirm the results, and finish the exercise at around 10am tomorrow. The Government will make a public announcement when the declaration expires officially. In the cases in which employees are unable to go to work because of the declaration, the Government hopes their employers can exercise discretion and not deduct the salaries or benefits of the employees."
 
     If staying in the "restricted area" will cause unreasonable hardship to individuals who are not residents in the area when the declaration takes effect, government officers may exercise discretion and allow that person to leave the area after considering the individual circumstances. That person must have followed the instructions to undergo testing and leave his/her personal information for contact purposes.
 
     According to the compulsory testing notice to be issued today, any persons other than those specified above who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from July 19 to July 25, 2022, even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect, must undergo compulsory testing on or before July 27, 2022. As a mutant strain is involved, for prudence's sake, vaccinated persons and persons who have recently been tested are also required to undergo testing.
 
     The Housing Department has set up a hotline (Tel: 2325 0104) which started operation at 5pm today for residents restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance. The Social Welfare Department will also provide assistance to the affected persons.
 
     The Government appeals to persons subject to compulsory testing for their full co-operation by registering and undergoing testing, and waiting for the results patiently at home. The Government will strictly follow up on whether the persons concerned have complied with the compulsory testing notices and "restriction-testing declaration". Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $10,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the "restriction-testing declaration" is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (July 25) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     In light of the implementation of mandatory use of the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application when entering government premises, all persons are required to use the app to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter temporary night heat shelters, except for exempted persons (including persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and persons without smartphones). All exempted persons are required to complete a prescribed form to register their personal particulars, contact phone number and the date and time of entry. The staff will verify the information provided.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Chi Shin Activity Centre
G/F, Tseung Kwan O South Ancillary Facilities Block, 5 Chi Shin Street, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Wu Shan Road Community Hall
101 Wu Shan Road, Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community.
 
     People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas of the designated community centres and community halls. For the addresses of these designated community centres and community halls, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 25) announced that candidates of the Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (LPAT) 2022 (written and speaking papers), held in May and June this year, will receive results notices by post from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) from tomorrow (July 26). 
 
     A total of 1 295 candidates sat for the English Language papers while 1 195 sat for the Putonghua papers this year.
 
     The results of the assessment are as follows:
 
English Language papers:

 
Putonghua papers:

 
* LPR = Language Proficiency Requirement
 
     A spokesman for the EDB said, "The EDB administers the LPAT every year to provide a channel for teachers and people aspiring to be teachers of English or Putonghua to attain the Language Proficiency Requirement. Candidates of the LPAT include members of the public and teachers teaching subjects other than the two languages."
 
     Candidates who have not received the results notices by this Friday (July 29) should contact the HKEAA on 3628 8860.
 
     Applications for rechecking of results will be accepted on or before August 1. Candidates will be informed individually of their appeal results by August 31.
 
     The Assessment Reports, which provide observations on candidates' performance, including their strengths and areas for improvement, will be released in September through the websites of the HKEAA (www.hkeaa.edu.hk) and the EDB (www.edb.gov.hk) for the reference of candidates, schools and teacher education institutions. The question papers, together with a CD for the listening papers, suggested answers and Assessment Reports, will be available for sale in September.
 
     The spokesman added, "Concerning the Classroom Language Assessment (CLA) paper, teachers holding a permanent post have to meet the LPR within the first year of teaching the two languages. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and suspension of face-to-face classes, the EDB has already extended the deadline in the 2021/22 school year for one year. All the results notices for the CLA will be issued by the HKEAA in October this year at the earliest, if feasible."

     The Hong Kong Science Museum's large-scale dinosaur exhibition, "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation", has received an overwhelming response since its opening on July 8. During the first two weeks, the exhibition attracted nearly 100 000 visitors. The museum has been closely monitoring the operation of the e-booking system. After reviewing the situation, the museum will enhance the booking arrangements for the exhibition from August 1 (Monday) to enable members of the public to make bookings.

     Under the new arrangements, the e-booking system will be updated at 10am every Monday, and bookings can be made for the upcoming week (excluding the regular closing day on Thursday) upon the system's update. The updates will be made on a weekly basis. To facilitate the change of the booking arrangement, the e-booking system will be suspended from midnight on August 1 and will resume service at 10am on the same day for advance bookings of time slots between August 2 and 8. The next update of the e-booking system will be at 10am on August 8.

     To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation" runs until November 16 at the Hong Kong Science Museum located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon. With free admission, the public can visit eight of the world's most iconic creatures from the age of dinosaurs, rare fossil bones and some of the most complete original dinosaur skeletons. Through the use of a multimedia projection technique; special lighting effects; and the fusion of the latest scientific research, palaeontology artwork and unique scenography; the exhibition offers an immersive experience and a thrilling journey back in time to a world ruled by giant reptiles. All visitors to the exhibition, including Museum Pass holders and children under the age of 4, are required to make an advance booking through the e-booking system (hk-science-museum.partner.klook.com/zh-HK/activity/73613-hongkong-science-museum-special-exhibition). Visitors who make a booking should arrive within the admission time and present the QR code on the confirmation email for free admission to "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation" and other permanent exhibitions of the museum. Members of the public are advised to plan their visits beforehand. 

     The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the First Initiative Foundation (FIF), and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the FIF. The exhibition is exclusively sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), and supported by the MTR Corporation. For more details of the exhibition and activities, please visit big8dinosaurs.hk or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.

     The exhibition is one of the many initiatives supported by the HKJC's approved donation of $630 million to the Government to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, demonstrating that the HKJC is resolute in pursuing its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society, all in support of creating a stronger community together.

     The exhibition production team is a respected group of internationally acclaimed professionals, comprising members from Hong Kong, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The exhibition is supported by the FIF, and the foundation's move demonstrates its dedication to contributing to the community and bridging the gap between Hong Kong and the world.

     In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the museum for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the relevant requirement of the Vaccine Pass.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 25) the external merchandise trade statistics for June 2022. In June 2022, the value of Hong Kong's total exports of goods decreased by 6.4%, whereas the value of imports of goods increased by 0.5% over a year earlier.
      
     In June 2022, the value of total exports of goods decreased by 6.4% over a year earlier to $380.7 billion, after a year-on-year decrease of 1.4% in May 2022. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 0.5% over a year earlier to $449.2 billion in June 2022, after a year-on-year increase of 1.3% in May 2022. A visible trade deficit of $68.5 billion, equivalent to 15.3% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in June 2022.
      
     For the first half of 2022 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 0.4% over the same period in 2021. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 2.1%. A visible trade deficit of $206.1 billion, equivalent to 8.2% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first half of 2022.
      
     Comparing the second quarter of 2022 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods decreased by 4.2%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods decreased by 0.6%.
      
Analysis by country/territory
      
     Comparing June 2022 with June 2021, total exports to Asia as a whole dropped by 5.4%. In this region, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Japan (-18.3%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (-10.4%). On the other hand, increases were recorded in the values of total exports to India (+76.5%), Vietnam (+37.8%), Singapore (+24.0%) and Thailand (+19.4%).
      
     Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the United Kingdom (-28.9%), the USA (-6.1%) and Germany (-2.6%).
      
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+40.5%), Taiwan (+18.0%), Malaysia (+14.8%) and Singapore (+14.2%). Concurrently, decreases were recorded in the values of imports from Korea (-25.4%), the Mainland (-8.8%) and Japan (-4.5%).
      
     For the first half of 2022 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular India (+62.6%), Singapore (+29.1%), the United Arab Emirates (+28.0%) and Taiwan (+25.1%). However, the value of total exports to the Mainland decreased by 5.7%.
      
     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Taiwan (+23.8%), Vietnam (+17.7%), the USA (+11.0%) and Malaysia (+9.3%). However, decreases were recorded in the values of imports from the Mainland (-4.7%), Japan (-4.2%) and Korea (-1.5%).
      
Analysis by major commodity
      
     Comparing June 2022 with June 2021, decreases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $19.4 billion or -33.8%), "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $2.7 billion or -1.4%), "miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly jewellery, goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares)" (by $2.6 billion or -12.1%) and "non-ferrous metals" (by $2.6 billion or -33.5%). However, an increase was registered in the value of total exports of "professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus" (by $4.4 billion or 52.4%).
      
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $9.8 billion or 4.9%), "professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus" (by $3.6 billion or 37.4%), "power generating machinery and equipment" (by $2.6 billion or 33.3%) and "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (by $2.3 billion or 66.8%). However, a decrease was registered in the value of imports of "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $16.0 billion or -26.1%).
      
     For the first half of 2022 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $88.1 billion or 8.4%), "professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus" (by $25.9 billion or 52.7%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $15.3 billion or 6.3%) and "non-metallic mineral manufactures" (by $6.3 billion or 7.7%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of total exports of "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $85.8 billion or -24.5%).
      
     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $80.1 billion or 7.4%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $23.0 billion or 11.8%), "professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus" (by $21.3 billion or 42.2%) and "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (by $11.5 billion or 45.9%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of imports of "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $77.6 billion or -22.1%).
      
Commentary
      
     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports fell further year-on-year in June 2022 alongside the deteriorated global economic situation. Exports to the Mainland continued to fall, while those to the US and the EU turned to declines.  Meanwhile, exports to many other major Asian markets showed increases of varying degree.
      
     Looking forward, the worsening global economic outlook will pile on the pressure facing Hong Kong's exports. Global financial conditions are expected to tighten further as many major central banks continue to raise interest rates to curb inflation, weighing on global economic momentum. The continued tensions in Ukraine and the evolving global pandemic also pose challenges. The Government will monitor the situation closely.
      
Further information
      
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for June 2022. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2019 to June 2022, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
      
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for June 2022 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
      
     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for June 2022.
      
     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for June 2022 will be released in mid-August 2022.
      
     The June 2022 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong's external merchandise trade in June 2022 and will be available in mid-August 2022. Users can download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode230.html).
      
     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5042).