Author Archives: hksar gov

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:      Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:      As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal … read more

     Hongkong Post will launch a set of special stamps and related philatelic products with the theme “Hong Kong Theme Park – Ocean Park Hong Kong” tomorrow (August 18).
      
     Ocean Park Hong Kong, with its roots in Hong Kong for more than four decades, is a world-class resort destination that blends entertainment with education and conservation. Not only is it a perfect recreational spot for Hong Kong people and a venue for school outings, it is also immensely popular with overseas visitors. The special stamps issued with the theme of Ocean Park should help unlock pleasant memories of the park amid the pandemic.
      
     Hongkong Post is pleased to launch a set of six stamps depicting six distinct animal ambassadors of the park: the dolphin that seemingly always wears a smile; the unmistakable toco toucan with its big and colourful beak; the rare and precious Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey with fur that changes through different seasons; the tiny meerkat that loves living in groups; the black-and-white coated “China’s national treasure”, the giant panda; and the king penguin, popular for being funny and adorable.
      
     The stamp sheetlet is designed to resemble a miniature map, presenting the panorama of Ocean Park and its amazing attractions and amenities full of fun and educational value, including thrilling rides and many opportunities to learn about animals.
      
     For the issue of “Hong Kong Theme Park – Ocean Park Hong Kong” tomorrow, Hongkong Post will implement a special sales arrangement to strike a balance between customers’ demand for philatelic services and the latest developments of the epidemic.
      
     During the period from August 4 to the August 18 issue date of the stamps, customers can place their orders for this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products on the website stamps.hongkongpost.hk, including a set of serviced first day covers with special stamps date-stamped with pictorial postmarks of all 38 philatelic offices, without the need to visit the actual outlets. 
      
     In view of the Government’s announcement on the extension of the special work arrangements for government employees, all post offices will be suspended from service tomorrow and counter sales and collection of advance orders of this set of special stamps will not be available on that day. Starting from August 19 (Wednesday), this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products, including a first day cover, a stamp sheetlet, a mini-pane, a presentation pack, postcards, a serviced first day cover and maximum cards will be placed on sale at all post offices. In addition, collection points will be set up at all post offices on the same day (August 19) to facilitate the submission of order forms as well as first day covers requesting hand-back date-stamping service. Hongkong Post will notify these customers of the collection date of their orders separately.
      
     Information about this special stamp issue is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk or the Hongkong Post mobile app.

                

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 0.00am, August 17, the CHP was investigating 44 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 525 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 524 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, 13 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).

     A spokesman for the DH reminded travellers that its Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) will be relocated to the Midfield Concourse in the restricted area of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) tomorrow (August 18). From 4am tomorrow, those arriving in Hong Kong via HKIA will be required to proceed to the TSCC set up in the restricted area of HKIA for collecting their deep throat saliva (DTS) samples immediately upon arrival. They will need to stay at the TSCC to wait for test results, which will usually be available on the same day before they can proceed with immigration procedures and collection of their checked-in baggage. As the waiting time could be up to 12 hours or more, travellers are advised to prepare to carry with them all necessities in sufficient quantities before boarding the plane.
 
     Passengers whose test results will not be available on the same day (usually passengers arriving in the afternoon or at night) can proceed with immigration procedures right after their DTS samples are collected at the TSCC. They will subsequently be taken to the DH’s Holding Centre for Test Results (HCTR) in a hotel by coaches arranged by the DH to wait for their test results. The DH will start using Dorsett Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, today as the HCTR. The DH also expressed gratitude to Regal Oriental Hotel and its staff for their assistance in fighting the epidemic over the past months. 
 
     The DH will make flexible arrangements according to the capacity of the facilities and the daily number of passengers arriving on afternoon flights. If necessary, inbound travellers arriving in the afternoon could also be arranged to wait for test results at the TSCC.

     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 infections 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

     The MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) completed the investigation related to the Automatic Train Supervision System (ATS) blackout and signal passed at danger (SPAD) incidents in the early morning non-traffic hours of May 23 this year and the shutdown of the interlocking system in the early morning non-traffic hours of May 25 during the testing of the new signalling system of the East Rail Line. The MTRCL today (August 17) submitted a report to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) detailing the causes of the incidents and recommendations for improvement.
 
     The EMSD has reviewed the report and accepted the investigation findings on the causes of the incidents. Recommendations made by the EMSD on the incidents have been agreed on and completed by the MTRCL as reflected in the report.
 
     While the incidents did not involve damage of equipment nor injury, the Government was concerned about the incidents of May 23 and 25, and requested the MTRCL to conduct in-depth investigation. The EMSD had been monitoring the MTRCL’s investigation including reviewing the data records of the signalling system at the time of the incidents, witnessing simulation tests and site verification tests conducted by the MTRCL and the signalling system supplier, checking software update versions and verifying related system operation and maintenance documents.
 
     Investigation revealed that the three incidents on May 23 and 25 were independent events and not related to system safety. The automatic train protection system of the signalling system was functioning normally during the ATS blackout on May 23 and the interlocking system shutdown on May 25. There was sufficient safety distance between all the trains. The SPAD incident on May 23 was caused by mishandling by the train captain and was not related to the safety of the signalling system.
 
     The East Rail Line will be extended across the harbour from Hung Hom to Admiralty under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project to form the North South Corridor (NSC). Since the East Rail Line is part of the NSC, its signalling system has to be upgraded under the SCL project. The EMSD will closely monitor the MTRCL in implementing the improvement measures recommended in the report and their effectiveness, in order to avoid recurrence of the incidents and to ensure railway safety.  read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      As at 9am today (August 17), 50 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 3 599 patients with confirm… read more