â€‹The Government yesterday (February 6) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" (declaration) effective from 8pm and 8.30pm respectively yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted areas" in Sha Tin (i.e. Mei King House excluding the car park thereat, in Mei Tin Estate, Sha Tin, see Annex 1; and Mei Chi House excluding Mei Tin Estate Management Office on G/F, see Annex 2) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. The Government today (February 7) decided to extend the period of operations for Mei King House and Mei Chi House in the "restricted areas" and aims at finishing the exercise at about 10am tomorrow (February 8). Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises and undergo two tests under the designated arrangement (including the one conducted yesterday under the declarations), until all such persons identified in the "restricted areas" have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained, and upon the agreement of the Secretary for Food and Health having regard to all the circumstances and the public interest of Hong Kong.

     A Government spokesman said, "Recently, sewage discharged from Mei King House and Mei Chi House in Mei Tin Estate tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 10 and 12 preliminarily tested positive cases have been identified under the 'restriction-testing declaration' operations conducted in Mei King House and Mei Chi House respectively yesterday, which is worrying. In view of the significant risk of infection at Mei King House and Mei Chi House, we consider it necessary to undertake determined action by extending the 'restriction-testing declaration' operations made earlier under Cap. 599J till tomorrow to prevent the virus from further spreading."

     The Government has set up temporary specimen collection stations at the "restricted areas" and requested persons subject to testing to undergo testing as designated yesterday and today. Arrangements have been made for persons subject to 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 testing must stay at their place of residence until all test results are ascertained to avoid cross-infection risk. The Government will arrange for door-to-door specimen collection for people with impaired mobility. As a mutant strain is involved, and having considered relevant infection risks, for prudence's sake, vaccinated persons and persons who have recently been tested are also required to undergo testing.

     The Government spokesman said, "We understand that this exercise will cause inconvenience for the public. We sincerely appeal for the co-operation of residents of Mei King House and Mei Chi House (including those who are at work and not currently at the premises) to return to their household and to comply with the testing arrangement. Those who have visited Mei King House or Mei Chi House in the past two weeks for more than two hours should undergo testing on or before February 8, 2022, in accordance with the compulsory testing notices issued earlier. The Government will make a public announcement when the declarations expire officially."

     In order to maintain public and emergency services within the "restricted areas", the Government and relevant working staff (such as healthcare officers and other officers of the Hospital Authority, testing service providers engaged by the Government and cleaning service providers) are allowed to enter and leave the "restricted areas" on condition that personal information and contact details are given as well as certain infection control instructions are followed (including undergoing testing before leaving the "restricted areas" without the need to wait for the test results). In the cases in which employees are unable to go to work because of the declarations, the Government hopes their employers can exercise discretion and not deduct the salaries or benefits of the employees."

     If staying in the "restricted areas" will cause unreasonable hardship for individuals who are not residents in the areas when the declarations take effect, government officers may exercise discretion and allow those persons to leave the areas after considering the individual circumstances. Such persons must have followed the instructions to undergo testing and must leave their personal information for contact purposes.

     The Housing Department has set up a hotline (Tel: 2129 8029) for residents restricted by the declarations 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 the "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 $5,000. 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 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The Government yesterday (February 6) 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 7.30pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Sha Tin (i.e. Mei Sau House, Mei Tin Estate, Sha Tin, excluding the car park 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.
 
     Moreover, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring persons who had been present at the above building, for more than two hours from January 24 to February 6, 2022, even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect, to undergo compulsory testing on or before February 8, 2022. The Government announced the completion of the compulsory testing exercise at around 1pm today (February 7) 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 3pm today.
    
     In this exercise, the Environment Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the Home Affairs Department (including the Sha Tin District Office), the Hong Kong Police Force , the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Housing Department, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health and the Auxiliary Medical Service mobilised around 150 staff to arrange for implementation of the declaration and enforcement actions for breaches of the compulsory testing notice issued earlier.
 
     The Government thanks persons subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding. With everyone's co-operation and efforts, coupled with the tireless efforts of the testing contractors, residents have been informed about their testing results by SMS notification. After finishing the compulsory testing exercise at around 1pm 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 testing result or wore a wristband 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 3pm. Test records of around 631 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. Forty-four persons were found not having undergone compulsory testing and compulsory testing order was issued to them. 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 reminds the 46 households who have not answered the door to contact the Government for arrangement of testing 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 liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will 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 order or the "restriction-testing declaration" is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

  

     â€‹The Government today (February 7) strongly appeals again to all sectors including foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to fight the virus together. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) conducted joint operations with several government departments again over the past weekend to carry out publicity and educational work at popular places in different districts where FDHs commonly gather, appealing to them to raise awareness of epidemic prevention and comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions.

     The FEHD, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force, the Labour Department, relevant District Offices, the Immigration Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, conducted joint operations over the past two days (February 5 and 6) at various public places in the Central and Western, Wan Chai, Yau Tsim, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Shatin, Sai Kung and Tsuen Wan districts, near popular FDH gathering places during weekends and public holidays. Apart from arranging for cleaning contractors to strengthen the street cleaning services at the relevant spots, the FEHD also stepped up patrols to combat unlicensed hawking activities. During the operation, about 34 kilograms of food were seized. Promotional leaflets in multiple languages were also distributed by the FEHD to appeal to FDHs to maintain environmental hygiene and refrain from conducting unlicensed hawking activities. FDHs were also reminded by other government departments to comply with the regulations on mask wearing and the prohibition of group gatherings in public places.

     To minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the spokesman strongly appealed to all to stay vigilant and comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. The FEHD will continue its enforcement actions and publicity efforts. All sectors including FDHs are reminded to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together.

  

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (February 7).
 
     The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the fourth quarter of 2021, provisionally estimated at $25.1 billion, increased by 29.1% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 29.6% to $8.2 billion.
 
     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 25.5% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with a year earlier.
 
     Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the fourth quarter of 2021 with the fourth quarter of 2020, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 39.5% in value and 35.6% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 33.4% in value and 28.9% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 12.6% in value and 10.0% in volume. Total receipts of bars increased by 58.8% in value and 65.6% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased by 11.5% in value and 8.8% in volume.
 
     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts increased by 1.6% in value and 0.7% in volume in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with the preceding quarter.
 
     For 2021 as a whole, the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector was provisionally estimated at $92.7 billion, increased by 16.8% in value and 14.8% in volume compared with the whole year of 2020. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases of restaurants increased by 16.8% to $30.2 billion.
 
     Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the whole year of 2021 with the whole year of 2020, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 18.3% in value and 16.4% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 23.1% in value and 20.7% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 8.6% in value and 6.4% in volume. Total receipts of bars decreased by 0.2% in value, but increased by 6.9% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased by 12.3% in value and 10.5% in volume.
 
     To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
 
     Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 15.4%, 18.1% and 59.9% respectively in October, November and December 2021, compared with the corresponding months in 2020.
 
     After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 12.6%, 15.2% and 54.4% respectively in October, November and December 2021, compared with the corresponding months in 2020.
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that business of restaurants continued to improve in the fourth quarter of 2021, thanks to the stable local epidemic situation, improved labour market conditions and the Consumption Voucher Scheme. The value of total restaurant receipts increased markedly by 29.1% in the fourth quarter over a low base of comparison a year ago. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, it increased further by 1.6%. For 2021 as a whole, the value of total restaurant receipts rebounded by 16.8% over the low base of comparison in 2020, but still visibly below the pre-pandemic levels.
 
     The spokesman further pointed out that the latest figures indicated the situation up to end-2021 only. Since entering 2022, business of restaurants has been under renewed pressure due to the latest wave of local epidemic and the tightened social distancing measures in response. The latest round of measures under the Anti-epidemic Fund will provide some timely relief. Business outlook for restaurants in the coming months would hinge crucially on the developments of the local epidemic situation. It is thus essential for the community to work together with the Government to put the local epidemic under control as swiftly as possible.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the third quarter of 2021 as well as the provisional figures for the fourth quarter of 2021.
 
     Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the third quarter of 2021 and the provisional indices for the fourth quarter of 2021.
 
     Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.
 
     The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the fourth quarter of 2021 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from March 18, 2022.
 
     The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
 
     More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).
 
     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; email: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (February 7) that a tender of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes (Notes) under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme will be held on February 16 (Wednesday), for settlement on February 17 (Thursday).

     A total of HK$1.0 billion one-year Notes will be tendered. The Notes will mature on February 17, 2023 and will carry interest indexed to the Hong Kong Dollar Overnight Index Average (HONIA), payable quarterly in arrears.

     Under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme, tender is open only to Recognized Dealers which are appointed as Primary Dealers. Anyone wishing to apply for the Notes on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the current published list, which can be obtained from the Government Bond Programme's website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.

     Tender results will be published on the HKMA's website, the Government Bond Programme's website, the Refinitiv screen (HKGBINDEX), and Bloomberg (GBHK <GO>) not later than 3pm on the tender day.

HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme tender information
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     Tender information of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme: