Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 0.00am, August 27, the CHP was investigating 21 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 756 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 755 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, three had a travel history during the incubation period.
 
     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).
 
     In view of the severe epidemic situation, 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. As a number of recent cases involve elderly people, 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.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, “Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases 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.
 
     “As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. 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;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• 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

     To align with the announcement earlier by the Government to resume more public services in a safe and orderly manner, the Transport Department (TD) said today (August 27) that having considered the latest improved situation of the epidemic and the continued need to avoid prolonged crowding to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus in the community, the licensing services of the TD will be adjusted from August 31 (Monday) as follows:

     The TD will resume the processing of applications for the direct issue of a full Hong Kong driving licence submitted by drop-in box and by post.  However, the Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin will continue to suspend walk-in counter services. During this period, all staff of the Licensing Offices will continue to work at full strength to provide counter services for applications submitted by applicants with online appointments and to process applications submitted via drop-in boxes, by post or online. At the same time, the daily quota for online appointments for renewal of a full driving licence/vehicle licence, transfer of ownership of a vehicle, retention, transfer or assignment of a vehicle registration mark, or application for an international driving permit will be 9 000 to cater for the public’s needs. The opening period of 10 weeks for online appointments will be maintained to enable members of the public to make early appointments to visit the Licensing Offices.

     The TD appeals to members of the public in need to use the online appointment services as far as possible. Members of the public who cannot make a prior appointment may submit applications by post or online, or via the drop-in boxes placed at the Licensing Offices from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday. To avoid unnecessary delays, the public should submit licence renewal applications three or four weeks before the expiry dates.

     For enquiries, members of the public can contact the relevant offices at the following numbers:
 
Hong Kong Licensing Office: 2804 2636
Kowloon Licensing Office: 2150 7728
Kwun Tong Licensing Office: 2775 6835
Sha Tin Licensing Office: 2606 1468 read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      As at 9am today (August 27), 38 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. The Hospital Authority (HA) has announced that… read more

     To align with the gradual resumption of the provision of basic public services by the Government, the Transport Department (TD) said today (August 27) that the driving test (road test) services will fully resume from September 7. Ca… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 98th meeting held in August 2020:

CA approves changes in the shareholding structure of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB)
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     The CA approved an application by TVB for changes in its shareholding structure arising from the transfer of certain shares in Young Lion Holdings Limited (YLH), which indirectly held 26 per cent of the voting shares of TVB via its wholly owned subsidiaries, from its existing shareholders to Ever Port Limited, a company controlled by Mr Kenneth Hsu. The CA also approved an application by Profit Global Investment Limited (PGIL) and related parties to hold up to 3.9 per cent of the voting shares of TVB as unqualified voting controllers as part of the changes in TVB’s shareholding structure. 

     The changes in the shareholding structure of TVB have taken effect following completion of the relevant transactions today. Upon completion of the transactions, the proportion of the voting shares of TVB held by YLH has been reduced from 26 per cent to 22.1 per cent, with PGIL and related parties receiving 3.9 per cent of the voting shares of TVB in exchange for surrendering all of its YLH shares. YLH remains the major shareholder of TVB, with Mr Hsu becoming the ultimate voting controller of 22.1 per cent of TVB’s voting shares held by YLH.

     In approving the applications, the CA is satisfied that TVB will continue to comply with all applicable regulatory requirements under the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562) and its domestic free television programme service licence, and that it will be able to honour the investment and programming commitments it has made under its licence upon completion of the shareholding changes.
 
Service interruption of Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited (Metro) due to staff member testing positive for COVID-19
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     The CA approved an application by Metro on July 22 for a waiver of its broadcast requirements of half-hourly/hourly news and weather reports as well as comprehensive news bulletins on its Metro Finance/Metro Info/Metro Plus channels for different periods from July 22 to 24, 2020 due to a service interruption following one of its staff members testing positive for COVID-19.

     Metro advised that it had to close its entire headquarters for sterilisation as soon as practicable upon receiving such advice from the Department of Health on July 22. As a result, manpower and facilities were unavailable for maintaining normal services . The affected services resumed progressively from July 23 to 24.

     In granting the waiver, the CA noted that Metro had activated its contingency plans to deal with the situation and managed to resume normal services in a short period of time without causing a serious impact on the audience. Nevertheless, the CA reminded Metro to be more vigilant in maintaining its services under the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in exploring all feasible measures to avoid the complete close-down of its headquarters again due to the epidemic, and to ensure that alternative arrangements would be in place for transmission of its broadcasting signals. read more