To align with the announcement by the Government to resume public services in a safe and orderly manner, the Transport Department (TD) said today (August 20) that, after having considered the ways of conducting driving test for different classes of motor vehicles, the TD will first resume the motor cycle driving test, including Part B (competence test) and Part C (road test), from August 31.
      
     Candidates who have been scheduled to take a motor cycle driving test on or after August 31 should attend the test according to the test date, time and the driving test centre specified in the driving test appointment letter. Motor cycle driving test candidates affected by the suspension of the driving test centres during the period from July 29 to August 28 will be notified individually of their rescheduled test dates.
      
     Other driving test services (including road tests of private car, light goods vehicle and commercial vehicles, written test (Part A) and taxi written test) and driving test appointment services (including walk-in counter service of Driving Test Appointment Office, online booking service for driving test appointments and telephone booking service for repeater early test appointments) will continue to be suspended until further notice. The TD will notify the affected candidates individually of the rescheduled test dates after resumption of the relevant driving test services.
      
     As regards anti-pandemic measures to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus, all candidates participating in the driving test must wear surgical masks inside the test centres and throughout the test, clean their hands with alcohol sanitisers before entering the centre office, and undergo body temperature screening arranged by the TD. If a candidate does not wear a surgical mask, refuses to undergo a body temperature screening, or whose body temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius, the candidate will not be allowed to enter the test venue and the test will be rescheduled. 
      
     The TD urges candidates not to attend a driving test if they are unwell, and advises that they should consult a doctor promptly. For applicants who are absent from a driving test on medical grounds, they may submit their postponement applications with the original sick leave certificate/medical certificate to the Driving Test Appointment Office of the TD within one month from the test date for rescheduling of the test date.
      
     In addition, candidates who would like to submit applications for test postponement/temporary cancellation of a driving test appointment or change of driving test region can submit the applications within two weeks after resumption of the services of the Driving Test Appointment Office. 
      
     The TD will continue to closely monitor the development of the pandemic, align with the social distancing measures implemented by the Government and adopt sufficient anti-epidemic measures, and will resume all driving test services under a phrased approach and in an orderly manner. For enquiries, please contact the Driving Test Appointment Office at 2771 7723 from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday.

     A man who went missing in Mong Kok has been located.

     Wong Kwok-tung, aged 30, went missing after he left his residence on Fa Yuen Street on August 12 night. His family made a report to Police on August 16.

     The man returned to his residence yesterday afternoon (August 19). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     To tie in with the Government’s epidemic control strategy, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (August 20) announced that it will continue assisting the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health in distributing specimen packs and collecting deep throat saliva specimens at designated time at 22 general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) (see attachment), facilitating individuals who perceive themselves to have a higher risk of exposure and who experience mild discomforts to undergo a COVID-19 test. The HA will extend the said service arrangement for another three months after the four-week trial.
           
     Staff of the 22 GOPCs will continue distributing the specimen collection packs (including specimen collection bottle, packaging plastic bags, guidelines for collection of deep throat saliva samples, etc) between 7.30am and 8.30am from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) in the designated areas outside the clinics. Only one pack will be distributed to each person while stocks last.
           
     The HA spokesperson reminded participants to submit the deep throat saliva specimens within three working days, with the necessary information for laboratory tests, to the designated collection points outside the 22 GOPCs between 10am and 11am from Monday to Saturday (except public holidays).
           
     The HA spokesperson also appealed to people collecting or returning the specimens at the clinics to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
           
     The HA started the said arrangement from July 27. As at August 19, more than 23 000 specimens had been arranged for COVID-19 tests under this arrangement, with 56 specimens testing positive for COVID-19.

     In view of the latest developments of COVID-19, the Civil Engineering and Development Department announced today (August 20) that the opening hours for the following public services will be adjusted from August 24 until further notice:
 
(1) The office hours of the Civil Engineering Library will be from 10am to 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday;
(2) The office hours for applications for dumping licences and sand removal permits will be from 2pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday; and
(3) The office hours of the Permit and Licensing Office of the Mines Division will be from 9am to noon, Monday to Saturday.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 0.00am, August 20, the CHP was investigating 18 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 605 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 604 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, one 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.