The Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) together launched today (July 27) the COVID-19 Community Testing Scheme in Tsz Wan Shan (Tsz Wan Shan Testing Scheme). This COVID-19 testing service provided by a testing agency (China Dragon Inspection & Certification (HK) Ltd) is being arranged for Tsz Wan Shan residents.
 
      The Chief Executive is very concerned about the large number of confirmed COVID-19 cases that have emerged in a number of public housing estates in Tsz Wan Shan recently. She understands that many residents of these estates, especially the elderly, are very worried about the situation.
 
      The Chief Executive has instructed the HAD to co-ordinate the arrangement of voluntary free COVID-19 virus testing for households of Tsz Ching Estate and the public housing estates in the neighbourhood with confirmed cases, in the hope of easing the minds of the public.
 
      The HAD will start to offer the free virus tests for the residents of Tsz Ching Estate and the public housing estates in the neighbourhood, including Tsz Lok Estate, Tsz Man Estate, Tsz Hong Estate and Choi Fai Estate, tomorrow (July 28).
 
      The HAD will first distribute specimen bottles tomorrow at two buildings in Tsz Ching Estate, and plans to collect the samples on the following day (July 29) for testing. The Government appeals to the residents to actively participate in the testing and return the samples on time, so as to allow the testing scheme to cover more residents and to alleviate the worries of their family members and neighbours. Those who are unfortunately infected can also be identified early for seeking medical treatment as soon as possible. 
 
      The Tsz Wan Shan Testing Scheme involves about 40 000 residents and given the substantial work pressure on manpower, testing and related logistics arrangements, the scheme has to be conducted in an orderly manner. The Government appeals for the residents' understanding and promises to strive to expedite the progress as much as possible to address the residents' concern.
 
      The HAD expresses gratitude to the Housing Department and the TWGHs for their assistance, making it possible to launch the testing scheme within a short time.
 
      A spokesperson for HAD said, "The testing service for residents living in public housing estates in Tsz Wan Shan will commence tomorrow. The department will co-operate with the TWGHs to make logistics and manpower arrangements for collecting samples for testing from the two buildings in Tsz Ching Estate. We hope the residents will participate actively and be co-operative to return the samples on time. The department is thankful for the Housing Department's full support."
 
      The HAD appeals to the residents to comply with the social distancing measures announced by the Government to strengthen health and precautionary work. 
 
      For details on the Tsz Wan Shan Testing Scheme, please contact the Wong Tai Sin District Office (hotline: 9617 0211).

     Hong Kong Customs detected three smuggling cases involving scheduled wood logs at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound between June 30 and July 16. A total of about 142 tonnes of suspected scheduled wood logs of endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million in total, were seized.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected five containers that arrived in Hong Kong from Ghana and Cameroon for inspection during the above-mentioned period. Upon inspection, about 142 tonnes of suspected scheduled wood logs in three batches were found inside the containers.

     The three cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

      

     A fire broke out at a construction site of Castle Peak Bay, Castle Peak Road in Tuen Mun at 12.41pm today (July 27). The fire was upgraded to No. 3 alarm at 1.12pm, was surrounded at 4.12pm, put under control at 4.34pm and put out at 5.39pm.
      
     Firemen used three jets and six breathing apparatus teams to fight the blaze. About 150 persons were self-evacuated to places of safety.
      
     No casualties have been reported.

     Spanish filmgoers discovered more Hong Kong films this year, thanks to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) and Create Hong Kong, which supported the 17th Asian Summer Film Festival in Vic, Spain, from July 23 to July 26 (Vic time).

     The Asian Summer Film Festival, which opened with a Hong Kong Film Night, featured 25 films, of which five were Hong Kong productions or co-productions. They consisted of an award-winning drama, a thriller, two martial arts action comedies and the final film in the acclaimed Ip Man series.

     Addressing the audience at a business reception via video on July 23 (Vic time), Acting Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Mr Paul Leung, thanked the organisers for their efforts in bringing Hong Kong films to Spanish audiences in particularly challenging circumstances this year. He also thanked the Government of Vic for their continued support.

     Mr Leung said that films were one of the best ambassadors of Hong Kong culture and the city’s talented directors and actors have won many international accolades. Last week it was announced that the 77th Venice International Film Festival would bestow the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award on one of Hong Kong’s greatest directors, Ann Hui.

     The Government is supporting the Hong Kong film industry to get through a difficult period this year. It has earmarked around EUR 29 million (around HK$ 260 million) under the Film Development Fund to help increase the number of local film productions, nurture young directors and scriptwriting talents and enhance professional training to add value to the industry.

     Mr Leung added that HKETO, Brussels has been supporting the Asian Summer Film Festival in Vic for 10 consecutive years and hoped that the co-operation would continue. He wished the Festival every success.

  

     The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (July 27) that all schools would continue to suspend all on-campus activities from July 29 (Wednesday) to August 16 (Sunday). Schools may consider conducting make-up classes or other learning activities online.

     In view of the epidemic development, the EDB announced on July 14 that all schools should suspend all on-campus activities including make-up classes and extra-curricular activities at all levels for two weeks, i.e. from July 15 to July 28.

     A spokesman for the EDB said, "In view of the severity of the epidemic situation, with the number of confirmed cases remaining at a high level, the Government has announced a series of anti-epidemic measures to strengthen the protection of public health. For the school sector, in order to safeguard the health and well-being of students, teaching staff and members of the public, after thorough consideration and consultation with experts, the EDB decided to further extend the above-mentioned measures until August 16."

     The spokesman added, "The above-mentioned arrangements are also applicable to face-to-face teaching activities and other on-campus activities of Schools Offering Non-formal Curriculum (including tutorial schools)."

     Regarding the arrangements for the 2020/21 new school year and the possibility of conducting face-to-face teaching activities, the EDB will continue to closely monitor the epidemic's development and take into account professional advice from health experts, as well as discuss the relevant arrangements with the school sector. In order to allow better preparation for schools and parents, the EDB will announce the details as early as possible once the arrangements for the new school year are confirmed.