Regarding the announcement made by the Guangdong (GD) Provincial Government today (August 5) on the adjustment of the COVID-19 nucleic acid test requirement for persons entering Guangdong from Hong Kong which will come into effect on the day after tomorrow (August 7), the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) urged members of the public to ensure that they can meet the requirement when travelling to Guangdong to avoid hiccups when crossing the border.
      
     The updated requirement on the COVID-19 nucleic acid test set by the GD Provincial Government stated that, starting from 10am on August 7, save for persons who received prior approval by GD for performing essential official and business duties and cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers who would continue be subjected to the prevailing policies applicable to them, all other persons who are entering GD via the Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge control points would be required to present a valid proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result issued by one of the testing institutions recognised by the HKSAR Government. The negative test result would be valid within 24 hours from issue time of the report. The designated testing institutions recognised by the HKSAR Government has been posted on the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories.pdf)
      
     The Government spokesman said, "Before departure to GD, members of the public must bring along the hard copy of a valid proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result that can meet the requirement of GD Provincial Government, and allow sufficient time for immigration clearance, or otherwise they will be refused entry into GD. When they re-enter Hong Kong after being refused of entry in the Mainland, they will be subjected to compulsory quarantine of 14 days pursuant to the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C). Members of the public should pay extra attention to avoid such a situation."
      
     The Government called on members of the public again that in view of the severe local epidemic situation, they should avoid going out, keep social distance and avoid dining out. People should maintain stringent hand hygiene and put on a surgical mask when they need to go out. They are also urged to seek medical attention early even if mild symptoms develop to help prevent the spread of the disease in the community. 
      
     The spokesman also reminded members of the public that under the amended Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I), a person must wear a mask at all times when the person is boarding or onboard a public transport carrier, is entering or present in an MTR paid area, or is entering or present in indoor public places, as well as public transport termini and interchanges. Otherwise they will have contravened the relevant regulation and be subject to a maximum fine at level 2 ($5,000).

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (August 5) strongly deplored and opposed the report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hong Kong of the United Kingdom (UK) on August 4.
      
     The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (PRC), a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under "One Country, Two Systems" and comes directly under the Central People's Government (CPG).  Matters relating to the HKSAR remain China's internal affair. No other state has the right to intervene under any pretext.
      
     The HKSAR Government strongly deplores and opposes the biased comments carried in the report. APPG does not represent the UK Parliament and comments in the report come from the information tendered by allegedly unnamed or anonymous persons. There is no actual evidence with regard to the reasons for imposing the so-called sanctions against Hong Kong. 
      
     The HKSAR Government clearly states that the Hong Kong Police are a professional law enforcement agency. The Police have the statutory duty to take lawful measures for apprehending all persons whom it is lawful to apprehend and for whose apprehension sufficient grounds exist, irrespective of the background, affiliation, political stance or occupation, etc. of the persons involved. The Police attach great importance to the safety and well-being of all persons (including protestors, arrested persons, healthcare workers, etc.) at scene of public order events and will not obstruct any bona fide rescue work.  The Police have and will continue to facilitate ambulance and medical services to those at scene who require such services as far as possible, and at the same time, the Police must take into account the circumstances, safety and security situations at scene.  It is the general practice for the Police to arrange for ambulancemen of the Fire Services Department of Hong Kong to provide medical treatment to persons in need when it is safe to do so. If an arrested person is injured on the spot or during an arrest, arrangement will be made to send him/her to the hospital directly for medical treatment. Further, most police officers have received professional training on first aid knowledge and skills.  Where necessary, police officers will provide immediate care to those who are injured and arrange for further medical treatments.
      
     At some of the unlawful public order events since June last year, the Police had encountered persons without having undergone any professional training or acquired any relevant qualification claiming to be first-aiders.  Intelligence also indicated that rioters impersonated as first-aiders by putting on a reflective vest with a view to evading legal liabilities.  There is a need for the Police to be prudent in verifying the qualifications of these self-claimed "first-aiders".
      
     The international community should take an objective view on the events that happened in Hong Kong in the past year.  Between June last year and early this year, Hong Kong was haunted by the ever-escalating violence. The public transport system was extensively damaged and shops maliciously attacked. An innocent man was killed by rioters, another seriously burnt and hundreds of frontline police officers injured. Cases involving explosives and firearms were uncovered every now and then, seriously endangering public safety.  Faced with these serious unlawful acts, the Police have the statutory duty to take lawful measures to maintain public order and public safety. The Police have a set of stringent guidelines on the use of force that are consistent with the international human rights norms and standards.
      
     The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) submitted in May 2020 the "Thematic Study Report on the Public Order Events arising from the Fugitive Offenders Bill since June 2019 and the Police Actions in Response" to the Chief Executive (CE), putting forward 52 recommendations to the HKSAR Government.  The CE has accepted all the recommendations in the report.  The Secretary for Security has set up a task force and is personally supervising the task force to carefully follow up each and every recommendation. The task force will submit regular progress reports to the CE, and the Police will also have to report its follow-up actions to the IPCC in accordance with the mechanism under the Independent Police Complaints Council Ordinance.
      
     Regarding the biased statements in the report regarding the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the National Security Law), the HKSAR Government spokesman seriously points out, "Since the return to the Motherland, the HKSAR has been implementing the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle, 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law.  It is the legitimate right and duty of every state to safeguard its national security.  As national security falls squarely under the purview of the Central Authorities and after some 23 years, the HKSAR has yet to fulfil its constitutional obligations to enact local legislation to safeguard national security, the enactment of the National Security Law is thus absolutely rational, reasonable, constitutional and lawful.
      
     "Since the enactment of the National Security Law, some politicians from the UK have made it an issue, neglecting the fact that the UK has also put in place relevant legislation and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding its national security and sovereignty, for example, the Treason Felony Act, Official Secrets Act, Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act, and Security Service Act. They ignore the serious unlawful acts of rioters in Hong Kong and even, under the pretext of the Police's operations last year, indicated in a high-profile manner that certain measures or acts targeting Hong Kong would be adopted. The HKSAR Government strongly objects to such and urges other countries to stop all political manipulation and interference."

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (August 5) said that a lifeguard has preliminarily tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
 
     The lifeguard concerned works at Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool in Kowloon City District. He last performed duties on July 25. The swimming pool has been temporarily closed since July 15. Since he had been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case, he was sent to be tested for COVID-19. He was notified last night (August 4) that he had preliminarily tested positive. He has been treated under isolation in hospital, and is now in stable condition.
 
     The lifeguard concerned has no recent travel history. He wore surgical masks when performing duties, and his body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work.
 
     The LCSD will arrange thorough cleaning and sterilisation at Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool according to the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). 
 
     The LCSD is highly concerned about the COVID-19 epidemic and will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. Staff are reminded to pay attention to personal hygiene and to stay vigilant. They should seek medical advice immediately if feeling unwell.

     As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (August 5) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.