Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (August 18): Reporter: Question number one, do you actually have a concrete plan in saving the business… read more
The Innovation and Technology Commission today (August 18) introduced enhancement measures for the Distance Business Programme to further support enterprises to develop distance business during the epidemic.
“The Programme has received an overwhelming response since its launch, reflecting the enterprises’ keen demand for developing distance business during the epidemic. In view of the extended epidemic situation, we decided to introduce a number of enhancement measures in response to the industry’s needs and to enable enterprises to make the best use of the funding to adopt a variety of information technology (IT) solutions to develop distance business,” a spokesman for the Commission said.
The enhancements are as follows:
1. From 9am on August 31, enterprises may submit a second application in which the categories of the IT solutions must be different from the approved categories in the first application. They may submit a second application after they have replied to the Secretariat on the result of the first application. The assessment criteria of the Programme remain unchanged. Each enterprise may receive aggregate funding of up to $300,000;
2. The funding period for subscription-based IT solutions will be extended from six months to 12 months. This arrangement is also applicable to applications approved earlier;
3. The restriction that related entities being regarded as one single entity are not allowed to submit applications will be lifted; and
4. Social enterprises with certifications issued by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for the Distance Business Programme will also be eligible.
The Distance Business Programme aims to provide funding support for enterprises to continue business and services during the epidemic through adoption of IT solutions. The Programme was opened for application on May 18 this year. As at 10am today, it had received an overwhelming response of 17 372 funding applications from enterprises, 95 per cent of which are from small and medium-sized enterprises. Of the 14 056 applications processed so far, 12 818 have been approved with total funding of more than $540 million.
The application deadline for the Programme is October 31. Enterprises wishing to apply for the Programme’s funding are advised to submit applications online as soon as possible. Details are available on the Programme’s website (u.hkpc.org/dbiz). For enquiries, please contact the Programme Secretariat by phone on 2788 5070 during business hours (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays)) or via email at dbiz@hkpc.org. read more
​Hongkong Post today (August 18) announced that a total of around 3 800 frontline staff responsible for mail delivery, outdoor duties and counter service will be arranged to undergo COVID-19 testing in batches on August 20 and 21. The Chief Executive announced on August 7 that the Targeted Group Testing Scheme would be extended to cover frontline employees of government departments with frequent contact with members of the public, including frontline staff of Hongkong Post.
Hongkong Post has hired a qualified testing agency for the provision of testing through established procurement procedures. The service contract has been awarded to Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited and it will be responsible for providing Hongkong Post with a one-stop testing service. Nasopharyngeal swabs will be used for specimen-taking in this exercise and the testing agency will deploy manpower to collect specimens from staff. The specimens will then be delivered to the testing agency’s laboratory for testing and the agency will notify Hongkong Post of the test results. Hongkong Post estimates that, for each of its approximately 3 800 frontline staff, testing will be completed within two days of taking a specimen.
Hongkong Post reassured that the testing agency will only have access to the serial numbers of specimens and will not acquire or retain any personal information of staff. Test results will be made known to staff through Hongkong Post. The testing agency will inform Hongkong Post of the serial number(s) for positive results, and Hongkong Post will then forward the information of the staff concerned to the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up action.
Proper infection control measures will be implemented at the testing sites. Staff undergoing testing are required to have their body temperature checked and have their hands sanitised with alcohol-based handrub before entering the sites. Partitions will be installed at the whole area designated for specimen collection and queuing instructions will be marked on the floor as a reminder to maintain social distancing. read more
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (August 18) announced the commencement of the public consultation exercise for the 2020 Policy Address. Mrs Lam will conduct online consultation sessions with stakeholders from different sectors to listen to their views on the Policy Address.
“Due to the need to focus on fighting the severe epidemic situation in Hong Kong, we have deferred the commencement of the public consultation exercise for the Policy Address this year. To maintain social distancing, I will conduct theme-based consultation sessions to listen to the views of stakeholders from the relevant sectors via video conferencing. Apart from fighting the epidemic, it is incumbent upon the Government to help the economy recover and relieve people’s burdens. I sincerely invite members of the public to give their views on the 2020 Policy Address, so that we can formulate policy initiatives that meet the needs of our society,” Mrs Lam said.
Starting from today members of the public can give their views through the Policy Address website (www.policyaddress.gov.hk), the dedicated Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PolicyAddress2020) or the Instagram account (www.instagram.com/PolicyAddress2020) for the 2020 Policy Address public consultation, or by email (policyaddress@pico.gov.hk), phone (2432 1899) or fax (2537 9083). read more
Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: As Standby Signal No. 1 has been issued, Chai Wan Public Fill Barging Point has been closed at 8.30am today (August 18) until further notice. read more