The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present the "Our Music Talents Series: Vocal Recital by Michael C T Lam" concert in June. Local baritone Michael C T Lam will collaborate with young pianist Anna Vienna Ho to let audiences enjoy a night of sentimental melody through classical works by renowned composers.
 
     The programme of the concert will include Mozart's "Hai già vinta la causa (from Le Nozze di Figaro)", Schubert's "Wandrers Nachtlied II, D. 768", Wagner's "O du mein holder Abendstern (from Tannhäuser)" and Ravel's "Don Quichotte à Dulcinée", as well as the premiere of Ho's "Li Bai, Wine and the Moon". The concert also marks the opening of this year's "Our Music Talents Series".
 
     Having graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Lam earned a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in the United Kingdom, and was trained in the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Hungary. He was a first prize winner in many local and overseas singing competitions, including the First Prize in the 2nd Hong Kong International Music Festival Competition – Vocal Division (Senior), the First Prize in the International Music Competition 'London' Grand Prize Virtuoso (vocal competition), as well as the Philip Bates Trust Ashleyan Opera Prize.
 
     Lam has performed in many major theatres and played more than 30 operatic roles, including Tonio in "Pagliacci", Macbeth in "Macbeth", Escamillo in "Carmen" and Don Alfonso in "Così Fan Tutte". Apart from performing in operas, he has also collaborated with many choirs and gives solo recitals in a number of concerts, receiving high praise for his excellent performances.
 
     "Our Music Talents Series: Vocal Recital by Michael C T Lam" will be staged at 8pm on June 15 (Wednesday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $160 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. Package discounts will be available for the "City Hall Virtuosi Series" and "Our Music Talents Series" held from May to August. For discount schemes and programme enquiries, please call 2268 7239 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1315.html.
 
     Other highlights of the "Our Music Talents Series" include the concert "Cong Quartet" to be held on June 26 (Sunday) and the "Piano Recital by Wong Sze-yuen" to be staged on August 10 (Wednesday). For details please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1317.html.
 
     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" QR code before being allowed to enter the performing arts venues managed by the LCSD 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 requirement of the Vaccine Pass.

     The Government announced today (May 13) an extension of the term of appointment of the incumbent Chairman and 17 non-official members, and the appointment of two non-official members through Phase IV of the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth, to the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation (ACBHC) from May 15 to December 31, 2022.
      
     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, said, "The ACBHC is an important advisor to the Government on built heritage conservation as well as the operation of the Built Heritage Conservation Fund (BHCF). The Committee has contributed significantly on this front. The selection of proposals for the first four projects (namely Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station Staff Quarters Compound, Homi Villa, Fong Yuen Study Hall and King Yin Lei) under Batch VI of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme) is near completion. As for the Former North Kowloon Magistracy, which was subsequently included into Batch VI of the Revitalisation Scheme, the assessment has also entered the final stage. The extension of the incumbent ACBHC term to end of the year will help maintain continuity in the tasks currently handled by the Committee and ensure efficient and smooth completion of Batch VI of the Revitalisation Scheme. The appointment of the two new non-official members will also bring in fresh ideas to the work of the Committee.
      
     "With additional funds injected into the BHCF this year, the Committee will help further our efforts in conserving built heritage. I look forward to continue working with the Committee on issues relating to built heritage conservation in Hong Kong," he continued.
      
     Mr Wong also expressed gratitude to the outgoing non-official member, Professor Ho Pui-yin, for her dedicated service and contributions to the ACBHC in the past six years.
      
     The ACBHC was established in 2016 to advise the Government on the operation of the BHCF. The Committee assesses new applications and monitors existing projects under the Revitalisation Scheme, monitors the operation of the Financial Assistance for Maintenance Scheme on Built Heritage, and advises on the two funding schemes on public engagement projects and thematic research. The Committee comprises members from different fields and professions including architecture, historical research, social enterprise, engineering, surveying, town planning, finance, business, as well as the art and cultural sector in the community.
      
     The membership list of the ACBHC with effect from May 15, 2022, is set out below:
 
Chairman
———-
Professor Lau Chi-pang
 
Non-official Members
———————-
Mr David Chak Wing-pong
Mr Cheung King-wai*
Mr Calvin Chiu Kit-man
Dr Fok Yeung-yeung*
Mr Vincent Ho Kui-yip
Ms Renee Hue Yi-yan
Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen
Ms Samantha Kong Wing-man
Mr Jeffrey Kwok Pak-wai
Dr Jane Lee Ching-yee
Mr Lee Tsz-leung
Mrs Miranda Leung Chan Che-ming
Ms Sharon Liu Chung-gay
Dr Eunice Mak Hoi-cheung
Ms Yanice Mak Wing-yan
Mr Douglas So Cheung-tak
Professor Billy So Kee-long
Ms Chloe Suen Yin-wah
Mr Plato Yip Kwong-to
 
Official Members
—————–
Commissioner for Heritage, Development Bureau
Assistant Director of Architectural Services (Property Services)
Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Heritage and Museums)
 
*New members appointed through Phase IV of the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (May 13) that, in light of the easing epidemic situation, four sports centres which had been used as holding centres earlier, namely Choi Wing Road Sports Centre, Shek Kip Mei Park Sports Centre, Harbour Road Sports Centre and Tsuen Wan West Sports Centre, will be returned to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) tomorrow (May 14).

     Since February this year, the SWD had set up holding centres in various sports centres and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) to provide care services for those elderly patients who had contracted COVID-19 with mild symptoms, or recovering frail elderly patients who are assessed by the Hospital Authority as suitable for admission to the centres.

     The SWD expresses gratitude to the organisations and teams for their care services and medical support to the centres. Their devotion, professionalism and tireless efforts have provided not only proper care for the elderly patients, but also relief from the huge pressure faced by public hospitals and residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) at the peak of the epidemic.

     The SWD will also be handing the Tin Shui Wai Sports Centre back to the LCSD on May 21, while the Kai Tak Holding Centre at the KTCT will operate until the end of May. The temporary quarantine centre/holding centre set up at Halls 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of AsiaWorld-Expo will continue operation, with around 1 000 beds to receive residents of RCHEs and residential care homes for people with disabilities who have contracted the disease or been identified as close contacts.

     The SWD will continue to monitor the development of the epidemic closely. If necessary and upon liaison with relevant bureaux and departments, the SWD will swiftly mobilise resources and prepare the venues to reactivate the holding centres.

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:

     Under the Particulars Relating to Candidates on Ballot Papers (Legislative Council and District Councils) Regulation (Cap. 541M) (the Regulation), candidates in the Legislative Council (except the Election Committee constituency) and District Council elections may apply to have certain registered particulars printed on the ballot papers for easier identification by electors.

     Bodies or persons wishing to register or amend their particulars with the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) in the 2022 registration cycle should hand in their applications by June 15. According to the Regulation, these particulars include the names, abbreviations of names and emblems of prescribed bodies, and the personal emblems of prescribed persons.

     In accordance with the Regulation, approved specified particulars have been included in a register made available for public inspection at the EAC's website (www.eac.hk). Bodies or persons concerned are not required to make another application in respect of the specified particulars which have been approved and included in the register.

     "Although applications can be submitted at any time during the year, only those applications submitted on or before the statutory cut-off date of June 15 will be processed within the 2022 registration cycle. Applications submitted after June 15 will only be processed in the 2023 registration cycle," a spokesman for the EAC said today (May 13).

     Application forms are available at the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) and all District Offices. They can also be downloaded from the EAC's website.

     The EAC will carefully consider all applications in accordance with the criteria and procedures stipulated in the Regulation. Details of all successful applications will be gazetted and open to public inspection at the REO during office hours. The public can also view the information at the EAC's website.

     For enquiries concerning the application procedures, please call the REO hotline on 2891 1001.

     The Government yesterday (May 12) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" with effect from 3.30pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Central and Western District ( i.e. Sai Wan Estate, Central and Western District, excluding kindergarten, Sai Wan Estate Property Services Management Office and social service units thereat) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing were required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the "restricted area" had undergone testing and the test results were mostly ascertained.
 
     In addition, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring any person who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from May 6 to May 12, 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 May 14, 2022.
 
     The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 9.45am today (May 13) and carried out enforcement action in the "restricted area" afterwards to verify that all people in the "restricted area" had undergone compulsory testing in accordance with the requirements of the relevant declaration and compulsory testing notice. The Government announced that the enforcement operation ended at around 11.45am today.
 
     The Government delivered food packs to persons subject to compulsory testing to facilitate their meal arrangements. Anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines supplied by the Central People's Government and rapid test kits were also provided to persons subject to compulsory testing to help them fight against the virus. The Housing Department set up a hotline for people restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance.
 
     The Government thanks persons subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding. With everyone's co-operation and efforts, coupled with the efforts of the testing contractors throughout the night, residents have been informed about their testing results by SMS notification. After finishing the compulsory testing exercise at around 9.45am today, the Government took enforcement action in the "restricted area" immediately to verify that all people in the "restricted area" had undergone testing according to the requirements of the declaration and the compulsory testing notice. Persons who could present an SMS notification containing a negative test result as proof of having undergone the compulsory testing could leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer. The enforcement operation was completed at around 11.45am. Test records of about 570 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. One person was found to have not undergone compulsory testing and compulsory testing orders were issued to him. Taking into account the above situation, the Secretary for Food and Health revoked the "restriction-testing declaration" in accordance with Cap. 599J (see attachment).
 
     The Government reminded the households who have not answered the door to undergo a nucleic acid test as soon as possible after reading the notices put up by the Government, in the hope of eliminating the possible risk of further spread of the virus in the community.
 
     The Government thanks all participating government staff and the testing agencies for their hard work. The Government is also grateful to those subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding, and their full co-operation during this period in undergoing testing and waiting for the results at home.
 
     The Government will seriously follow up on the compliance situation of the compulsory testing notices and the "restriction-testing declaration" by persons subject to compulsory testing. 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.