Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, July 15, no new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been recorded, and that the number of cases in Hong Kong remained at 11 956 so far (comprising 11 955 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     A total of 32 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (July 1 to 14), including 30 imported cases, one import-related case and one local case with unknown sources.

     The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     As a passenger flight (LH796) operated by Lufthansa German Airlines arriving in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, on July 12 had one passenger confirmed to have COVID-19 by arrival testing and two passengers failed to comply with the requirements specified under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H), the DH thus invoked Cap. 599H to prohibit the landing of passenger flights from Frankfurt operated by Lufthansa German Airlines in Hong Kong from July 16 to 29.

     Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to compulsory testing notices (CTNs). The Regulation also requires all household members of close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within a specified period according to CTNs published in the Gazette. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop, and undergo testing as soon as possible.

     The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).

     The CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with everyday tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.

     The spokesman said, “Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases including mutant strains reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.

     “The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes. Moreover, vaccination may help keep people from getting seriously ill even if they do get COVID-19, and, generally speaking, vaccines can also reduce the chance of transmission by those who have been vaccinated. People vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine can also generate herd immunity. Members of the public are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible and book their vaccination appointments at the website (booking.covidvaccine.gov.hk/forms/index.jsp).

     “As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps). After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.”

     Moreover, the Government has launched the website “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the “StayHomeSafe” mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.

     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 

• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

read more

     The Transport Department (TD) said today (July 15) that to promote the good services and image of the taxi industry, the TD and the Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) is co-organising the Taxi Service Commendation Scheme 2021. In addition to selecting Quality Taxi Drivers and Quality Taxi Service Management Teams, a new Good Driver, Good Service award has been introduced to this year’s scheme to commend a taxi driver providing exceptional service to passengers during the ride. The scheme is now open for public nominations until September 30.

     Members of the public can nominate quality taxi drivers and service management teams, as well as share the “Good Driver, Good Service” riding experience provided by a taxi driver, via the CTSQ’s webpage (www.ctsq.org.hk/voting) by scanning the QR code on the promotion material of the scheme (see Annex) displayed inside the taxi compartments. They can also send the completed nomination form to the TD by post, facsimile or email. The form can be downloaded from the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/index.html) or the CTSQ’s website (www.ctsq.org.hk).

     After the nomination period, members of the public can learn about the good conduct and performance of the nominated taxi drivers and vote for Quality Taxi Drivers on the CTSQ’s webpage. The Good Driver, Good Service and Quality Taxi Service Management Teams awards will be evaluated and selected by an assessment panel comprising mainly members of the CTSQ. It is expected that the award presentation ceremony will be held in the first quarter of next year.

     For enquiries, please call 3842 5818. read more

     Hong Kong Customs on July 8 mounted an operation codenamed “Coin Breaker” in which a suspected money laundering syndicate involving $1.2 billion was smashed and four persons were arrested. This is the first time Customs has detected a money laundering case with virtual currency usage by a suspected money laundering syndicate. 

     Customs identified a suspected money laundering syndicate at the beginning of this year. After in-depth investigations, more than 30 officers have been mobilised on July 8 to raid four residential premises in Wong Chuk Hang, Prince Edward, Tuen Mun and Tin Shui Wai. An office in Mong Kok was also searched. Four men, aged between 24 and 33, suspected to be involved in the case were arrested for contravention of Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO) and conspiring to “deal with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (commonly known as money laundering). 

     An initial investigation revealed that the four persons involved in the case had opened accounts at various banks in Hong Kong and had made transactions through a virtual currency exchange trading platform. Suspicious funds of approximately $1.2 billion involving bank remittances and a virtual currency were found processed between February last year and May this year. 

     Computers, mobile phones, banking security authentication tokens and piles of documents, including business registration records, bank statements and chequebooks, were seized at the locations searched.

     The investigation is ongoing. All arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Under the OSCO, a person commits an offence if he or she deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.

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

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (July 15) that the fourth cycle of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise (Replacement Exercise) will commence on September 20, 2021.
 
     The Secretary for Security has made an Amendment Order to announce the call-up programme of the fourth cycle of the Replacement Exercise. The details are as follows:
 

Eligible persons	Application period
Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1977, 1978 or 1979	September 20 – November 18, 2021
Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1980, 1981 or 1982	November 19, 2021 – January 18, 2022
Holders of the old form of smart identity cards born in 1983, 1984, 1987 or 1988	January 19 – April 2, 2022

 
     The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on July 21, 2021, for negative vetting.
 
     Moreover, the ImmD spokesman reminded the public that children born in 2005 to 2007 or 2012 to 2018 and holding the old form of smart identity cards (i.e. identity cards with date of issue on or before November 24, 2018) should apply for new smart identity cards in the company of either one of their parents or legal guardians at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) (see Annex I) on or before September 18, 2021 (Saturday). For details of the replacement arrangements for children holding the old form of smart identity cards, please refer to Annex II. Please note that children born between 2012 and 2018 who have never held a permanent identity card in connection with their applications for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, or is already holding a new smart identity card, are not required to participate in the Replacement Exercise.
 
     The Replacement Exercise covers all Hong Kong residents, including permanent residents; and non-permanent residents for employment (including foreign domestic helpers), investment, residence or study. If eligible Hong Kong residents are absent from Hong Kong during their call-up periods, they need not rush back to Hong Kong to replace their identity cards. They can apply within 30 days upon their return to Hong Kong.
 
     To avoid the gathering of crowds, the ImmD appeals to applicants to make appointment bookings via the ImmD mobile application, the Internet (www.gov.hk/newicbooking), or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234. To download the mobile application or to make an appointment booking via the Internet, please scan the QR codes at Annex III. The ImmD also appeals to applicants to pre-fill the application form when making appointment bookings through the mobile application or the Internet in order to enjoy faster identity card replacement service. Applicants need to bring along their old form of smart identity cards when they proceed to the SIDCCs.
 
     For this Replacement Exercise, the ImmD also implements a caring arrangement under which each eligible applicant for identity card replacement may bring along up to two persons with disabilities, in addition to two family members or friends aged 65 or above, to replace their identity cards together during the same visit to an SIDCC.
 
     For details of the Replacement Exercise, please visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the ImmD’s enquiry hotline at 2824 6111. read more

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, visited the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market today (July 15) to observe the Government’s outreach vaccination service for fishing vessel deckhands.

     Professor Chan said, “I am delighted to learn that over 600 fishing vessel deckhands joined the outreach vaccination service today. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the fishing vessel deckhands and the fishermen associations for their positive response to the vaccination service.

     “These fishing vessel deckhands support local fishing vessels in their operations in Mainland waters, and assist in the unloading of fish catches at wholesale fish markets. They help maintain a steady supply of fresh marine fish in Hong Kong.

     “Mainland fishing vessel deckhands travel frequently between Hong Kong and Mainland waters, and have contact with fellow local crew members on fishing vessels and the staff and buyers and others at wholesale fish markets. This outreach vaccination service is of utmost importance to safeguarding public health and ensuring normal operation of relevant businesses.”

     Professor Chan expressed the hope that more fishermen and fishing vessel deckhands can get vaccinated. She appealed to individuals from various sectors and trades for their active participation in the “Early Vaccination for All” campaign with a view to protecting themselves and their families. She said, “The situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe. In the face of challenges posed by mutant strains, we count on our citizens to fulfil their civic responsibility and receive vaccines extensively in order to strengthen the immunity barrier in Hong Kong.”

     Professor Chan expressed her gratitude to the medical team and administrative support staff for providing the outreach service at the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market today.

read more