Author Archives: hksar gov

     A spokesman for the Security Bureau (SB) said today (July 9) that during an investigation of a criminal case, the Police found that several people had breached the prohibition on the group gathering regulation. As legal proceedings of this criminal case are in progress, further details will not be disclosed.
 
     The Under Secretary for Security, Mr Sonny Au; the Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang; and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang, made further clarifications on their violation of the prohibition on the group gathering regulation that occurred at a dinner:
 

• Only three officials from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attended the dinner. They were invited to attend it at a place where they were told by the host was a private premises, and therefore mistakenly believed that the venue fell outside the regulation of the prohibition on group gathering;
• The food served at the dinner consisted of normal hotpot ingredients;
• As the trio’s work requires frequent communication with different sectors in the community, the dinner on that day was an ordinary social gathering; and
• The three officials admitted that they were negligent and lacked sensitivity on this occasion. They apologised for it, pledging that they will exercise particular caution when attending events in the future.

     The SB spokesman emphasised that these three officials were not involved in the aforementioned criminal case.  read more

     Police today (July 9) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Kwai Chung.      Lau Siu-ho, aged 51, went missing after she left her residence at Shek Lei (I) Estate… read more

     The Instrumental Music Training Scheme, organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, is now recruiting beginners for its 2021-22 Elementary Year 1 courses. Children and youths aged 6 to 14 with no instrumental experience are welcome to apply. The deadline for applications is August 6.
 
     The scheme provides training in almost 30 Chinese and Western musical instruments including violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, French horn, trombone, suona, sheng, dizi, erhu, pipa, zhongruan and others, with supplementary training in musicianship and theory. It seeks to help children and youths develop their potential and interest in music through a systematic course of training.
 
     One-hour group lessons are conducted weekly in Cantonese at the Music Office’s five music centres in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. Annual tuition fees of $1,764 for the first year and $2,156 for the second year are payable in four instalments. A fee remission scheme is available for trainees in need of financial assistance.
 
     Applications can be done online at www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice. Course pamphlets and application forms are also available at all of the Music Office’s music centres. Applicants who meet the age requirement will receive details for their submission of an admission assessment video by August 13. The deadline for submission of the video will be August 23. Applicants will be notified of the results in mid-October and the training will commence in early November.
 
     For enquiries, please call the Music Office’s music centres at 2802 0657 (Wan Chai), 2796 2893 (Kwun Tong), 2399 2200 (Mong Kok), 2158 6462 (Sha Tin) and 2417 6429 (Tsuen Wan).
 
     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, visitors to music centres of the Music Office are required to scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” QR code or register their name, contact number and the date and time of the visit before being allowed to enter. They will also need to use hand sanitiser, wear their own masks and be subject to temperature checks. read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 9) released a consultation paper on the Scheme on Regulation of Disposable Plastic Tableware. The Scheme aims to reduce the use of disposable plastic tableware at source with… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, July 9, the CHP was investigating one additional confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 950 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 949 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     The newly reported case is an imported case.

     A total of 43 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (June 25 to July 8), including 41 imported cases and two import-related cases.

     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 (OZ721) operated by Asiana Airlines arriving in Hong Kong from Seoul, Korea, on July 6 had one passenger confirmed to have COVID-19 by arrival test and one passenger failed to comply with the requirement 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 Seoul operated by Asiana Airlines in Hong Kong from July 10 to 23.

     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.

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