The Government today (July 29) put into effect the cessation of dine-in services at catering businesses, as part of tightening the social distancing measures under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F).

     A Government spokesman reiterated that the temporary cessation is to curb the continued spread of the disease in the community by minimising eating in groups and reducing social contact.

     He said that the Government understands that ceasing dine-in services for the whole day will cause difficulties and inconvenience for the public and called for full co-operation from members of the public to overcome the difficult time together.

     To help members of the public in need to take their own meal to have lunch in a covered space while the measure is in force, the Home Affairs Department will from tomorrow (July 30) open 19 community halls or community centres in 18 districts during lunch hours from 11am to 3pm.

     Members of the public entering the community halls or centres are required to have their body temperature checked and wear a mask. Persons with fever or respiratory symptoms will not be allowed to enter. While eating, people should be seated as arranged by the community hall or centre to ensure there is a distance of at least 1.5 metres between each person and maintain social distancing. People must wear a mask except when eating or drinking. To minimise the gathering of groups, members of the public will have to leave the community hall or centre after finishing their meal.
       
     The 19 community halls or community centres are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Kai Tak Community Hall
3 Concorde Road, Kai Tak
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
 
New Territories Districts:
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Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Hin Keng Neighbourhood Community Centre
5 Hin Wo Lane, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
 
     Subject to the actual implementation, the Government will consider opening other appropriate government facilities during lunch hours to help the public in need, the spokesman added.
 
     The Government also notes that various social groups and religious organisations have taken the initiative to open their facilities during lunch hours to provide meal spaces for the public today. The Social Welfare Department will contact relevant non-governmental organisations and call on them to make their facilities available during lunch hours for the convenience of the public.
 
     The spokesman again strongly urged all employers to allow their employees to work from home as far as possible. For employees performing duties outside offices, such as members of the construction and cleaning sectors, the Government appeals to the employers to take note of the working conditions of employees and provide them with a covered space for rest and meals as far as practicable. Where possible, employers may implement flexible lunch hours for their employees and arrange for bulk orders of meal boxes, with a view to reducing contact among employees and their chances of going out. Furthermore, the meal area should be provided with tables, chairs, drinking water and good ventilation. Employees should also maintain social distance among each other.
 
     Regarding the arrangement of dining places for frontline cleaning workers, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) implemented a number of measures this morning relating to dining places, and the arrangements for such workers of the department and its outsourced contractors are as follows:
 

• The FEHD provides dining places at the roll-call points under the department, through venues made available at its District Environmental Hygiene Offices, or through marquees set up at suitable places near the FEHD’s facilities, and simultaneously provides tables and chairs for workers’ use for dining purposes. If circumstances permit, the FEHD and its contractors will arrange for their workers to have lunch at staggered hours; and
• The FEHD also advises cleaning workers to observe social distancing and follow other appropriate measures when taking meals. The department has put up posters in its District Environmental Hygiene Offices to remind cleaning workers to comply with the Government's anti-epidemic regulations and maintain personal and environmental hygiene at all times to safeguard their own health and safety and that of others.

     In addition, in view of the recent surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has reminded the construction sector to stay vigilant and enhance preventive measures at workplaces and construction sites. Such measures include maintaining personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness, conducting temperature checks and providing adequate surgical masks and alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Where possible, designated working zones should be identified on-site to minimise the risk of cross-infection. During very hot weather, well-ventilated shelters as well as flexible working and resting arrangements should be in place to prevent workers from being exposed to prolonged high temperature.
 
     Having regard to the implementation of the temporary cessation of dine-in services, the Construction Industry Council has also appealed to the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, contractors, registered specialist contractors and registered subcontractors to make corresponding arrangements for construction workers.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made an announcement today (July 29) on four supporting staff members tested preliminarily positive to COVID-19:
 
     A Patient Care Assistant II working in Medicine and Geriatrics ward at Lai King Building of PMH sought medical treatment owing to discomfort at Prince of Wales Hospital Staff Clinic on July 27 and his deep throat saliva test result was preliminarily positive to COVID-19, awaiting further testing.  Another Patient Care Assistant II who shared the same room at staff quarters on July 23 and was listed as a close contact. The staff sought medical treatment at the onset of symptoms on July 28 at Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital and was also tested preliminarily positive towards COVID-19 and awaiting further testing.
 
     To address relieve staff concerns, the hospital immediately provides relevant testing services for staff working in the related departments. A Patient Care Assistant II who works in the same ward with the abovementioned two staff was also preliminarily tested positive towards the virus. After contact tracing conducted by Infection Control Team, three Patient Care Assistants provided clinical patient care services at Medicine and Geriatrics ward at Lai King Building and they all wore appropriate personal protective equipment at work and no high-risk procedures were involved.  At current stage, a total of 16 staff members have been listed as close contacts and they would be required to be quarantined at quarantine centre.
 
     Upon notification of staff being tested preliminarily positive towards COVID-19, admission and discharge at the relevant wards have been suspended immediately while thorough cleansing and disinfection have been carried out at the concerned working stations and rooms of residence. At the present stage, no patient is listed as close contact while a total of 59 patients have been tested for the virus as a precautionary measure.
 
     In addition, a Patient Care Assistant III who works at out-patient clinic of Oncology Department sought medical treatment at Accident and Emergency Department of the hospital for headache and throat discomfort and was preliminarily tested positive towards COVID-19 with deep throat saliva, further testing result is pending. The staff is mainly responsible for taking blood pressure for patients at the entrance of the clinic and appropriate personal protective equipment has been worn all the time. After contact tracing conducted by Infection Control Team, no patient nor staff member is being listed as close contact while the hospital has already arranged cleansing for the concerned areas.
  
     The four preliminary confirmed staff are not required to contact COVID-19 patients. All cases have been reported to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and the route of infection is awaiting further confirmation by CHP. The hospital will provide assistance to the staff and will closely monitor the health condition of staff and patients of the concerned wards and will maintain close liaison with the CHP. The hospital will continue maintain close contact with frontline staff and will provide appropriate personal protection equipment to staff according to their operational needs.​

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 0.00am, July 29, the CHP was investigating 118 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 3 003 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 3 002 confirmed cases and one probable case).          

     Among the newly reported cases announced, five had 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).

     Meanwhile, the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (SCEZD) under the CHP has reviewed the criteria for releasing confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients from isolation and made updated recommendations based on the prevailing scientific understandings on COVID-19. The revised recommendations supersede the previous one dated July 6.

     The updated criteria for releasing a confirmed COVID-19 patient from isolation are as follows:

     For symptomatic patients:

1. Clinical conditions improve and afebrile; AND
2. Either one of the following laboratory criteria:
– With two clinical specimens of the same type (i.e. respiratory or stool) tested negative for nucleic acid of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) taken at least 24 hours apart. For patients ever with stool specimen(s) tested positive, they should have two negative stool specimens collected 24 hours apart before release from isolation; AND 10 days have passed since the onset of illness; OR
– Tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibody. 

     For patients who did not develop any COVID-19 compatible symptoms all along: 

1. With two clinical specimens of the same type (i.e. respiratory or stool) tested negative for nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR taken at least 24 hours apart. For patients ever with stool specimen(s) tested positive, they should have two negative stool specimens collected 24 hours apart before release from isolation; AND five days after the first positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2; OR
2. Tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibody.

     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 every day 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 infection, 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (July 29), 64 COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1269, 1414, 1426, 1434, 1464, 1472, 1475, 1479, 1480, 1541, 1551, 1552, 1564, 1583, 1586,  1604, 1618, 1619, 1624, 1625, 1627, 1628, 1649, 1658, 1671, 1673, 1676, 1677, 1681, 1692, 1697, 1699, 1704, 1705, 1708, 1717, 1726, 1747, 1769, 1773, 1810, 1827, 1860, 1877, 1882, 1896, 1921, 1939, 1941, 1967, 1980, 1994, 2030, 2045, 2089, 2114, 2121, 2127, 2174, 2179, 2352, 2353, 2497 and 2502) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far a total of 1 591 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 656 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 236 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 1 117 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 15 public hospitals and a community isolation facility, among which 38 patients are in critical condition (case numbers: 595, 1346, 1401, 1424, 1470, 1483,  1491, 1497, 1498, 1612, 1644, 1650, 1679, 1718, 1767, 1777, 1779, 1805, 1806, 1835, 1936, 1940, 1955, 1956, 1989, 2048, 2075, 2079, 2086, 2161, 2172, 2208, 2269, 2315, 2458, 2484, 2522 and 2705), 27 are in serious condition (case numbers: 1315, 1468, 1556, 1687, 1722, 1786, 1795, 1843, 1952, 1998, 2133, 2143, 2282, 2288, 2313, 2334, 2358, 2362, 2412, 2437, 2452, 2494, 2591, 2595, 2657, 2769 and 2789) and the remaining 1 052 patients are in stable condition.
           
     The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     In response to media enquiries regarding Legionella infection cases, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital (SLH) has the following reply today (July 29):
      
     Two more patients who had stayed in a male ward for severe intellectual disability at SLH were confirmed with Legionnaires' Disease. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) visited the ward again and collected water samples today. The source of infection for the patients is still undergoing investigation. The two male patients (aged 39 and 82) have been transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment and are in stable condition.
          
     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and infection control improvement measures, including:
      
     1.   Suspending the use of related basin faucets;
     2.   Installing bacterial filters on basin faucets and shower heads;
     3.   Arranging cleansing and disinfection at water tanks and pipes;
     4.   Providing patients with distilled water for drinking;
     5.   After communicating with the CHP, the hospital will continue to implement clinical surveillance for all patients in the ward.
      
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. In addition to the above precautionary and improvement measures, the hospital has reminded all healthcare staff to be vigilant and continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP in the investigation of the source of infection.