The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 25) said that in view of the recent severe epidemic situation, to safeguard the health and safety of market stall tenants and the public, the FEHD has further enhanced the anti-epidemic measures in its markets, including the installation of body temperature checking system in markets with high patronage rate for monitoring the body temperature of people entering the markets. In addition, the FEHD will progressively arrange for 12 public markets to be closed an hour earlier for deep cleaning and disinfection in the coming few days as a precautionary measure.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "To further enhance the anti-epidemic measures, the FEHD, with the full support of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), has completed on July 24 the first phase of the installation of the body temperature checking system in six of its markets in Kowloon with high patronage rate, namely Ngau Chi Wan Market, Ngau Tau Kok Market, Hung Hom Market, Pei Ho Street Market, Tai Shing Street Market and Tai Kok Tsui Market, for monitoring the body temperature of people entering the markets."

     The spokesman added, "We will progressively install the system in other markets with high patronage rate, and has arranged for checking of body temperature of market patrons by FEHD staff using hand-held thermometers in some markets so as to enhance the effectiveness of epidemic prevention."

     To further enhance the cleaning and disinfection work in its markets, following the closure of 12 public markets in Kowloon an hour earlier for additional deep cleaning and disinfection last week, the FEHD will arrange for the following 12 public markets on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories to be closed an hour earlier at 7pm for deep cleaning and disinfection in the coming few days as a precautionary measure:

July 26 (Sunday)
Smithfield Market
Yue Wan Market
Tai Po Hui Market
Shek Wu Hui Market

July 27 (Monday)
Sai Ying Pun Market
Centre Street Market
Tai Kiu Market
Yeung Uk Road Market

July 28 (Tuesday):
Aberdeen Market
Wan Chai Market
Sha Tin Market
Tsuen Wan Market

     During the period, the FEHD staff will thoroughly clean and disinfect communal areas and facilities in the markets, and call for cooperation of market tenants to conduct cleaning and disinfection at their respective stalls, with a view to improving the overall hygiene condition of the markets. In addition, the FEHD will carry out deep cleaning work on the periphery of the markets and nearby streets. The cleaning and disinfection work is expected to last about four hours.

     The spokesman said that the FEHD has attached importance to the hygienic condition of public markets. In addition to regular cleaning work in the daytime, market service contractors also conduct thorough cleaning in all markets after the markets are closed every day. During the epidemic, the FEHD has already stepped up cleaning and disinfection of communal areas and facilities in the markets, including toilets, escalators, elevators and stair handrails, with diluted household bleach regularly every day. Disinfectant hand sanitisers are also placed at market areas for public use. Furthermore, the FEHD has liaised with the EMSD to improve the air ventilation in the markets as far as practicable. 

     In addition, the FEHD earlier issued advisory letters to its market tenants reminding them and their staff to wear face masks in markets and perform hand hygiene frequently, and has subsequently distributed face masks and disinfectant hand sanitisers to market tenants. Disinfectant hand sanitisers are also placed at communal parts such as vicinities of lift lobbies, escalators and public scales for use by market patrons so as to safeguard the health and safety of tenants and the public.  

     The FEHD will closely monitor the situation of its markets and conduct enhanced cleaning and disinfection work as a precautionary measure when necessary so as to maintain environmental hygiene and safeguard the health and safety of tenants and the public.

     A total of six nomination forms for the 2020 Legislative Council General Election were received today (July 25) by the Returning Officers for the five geographical constituencies and the 29 functional constituencies.
 
     This brings to 81 the total number of nomination forms received since the start of the nomination period on July 18. The nomination period will continue until July 31.
 
     A spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office advised nominees to submit their nomination forms as early as possible to allow ample time to correct mistakes, if any, in the nomination forms before the deadline.
 
     The number of nomination forms received for each geographical constituency is as follows:
 

 
     The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
 

      
     Particulars of the nominees will be available on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk/legco2020/eng/nominat.html).

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, participated in the first-ever Virtual Ministers Responsible for Trade (VMRT) Meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020 today (July 25).

     Speaking at the meeting, which was dedicated to discussing APEC's response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he called on all APEC economies to act in unity and in a manner consistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rights and obligations, and to refrain from raising unjustified trade barriers. He also spoke on Hong Kong's strategy in combating the epidemic.  

     "This pandemic is both a public health and an economic crisis, with severe socio-economic fallout like never before. We are fighting a twin battle, and can only win the first one against the pandemic before winning the second on saving the economy. Let us make no mistake, the common enemy is the virus. And only by working together we stand to win, failing that we all lose.

     "COVID-19 has brought forth a wave of export restrictions which would not help in our fight against the pandemic. But trade is not the problem – it is in fact a vital part of the solution.

     "We condemn all sorts of discriminatory and divisive policies. During this crucial time, we urge all economies to keep their boundaries open to ensure the smooth functioning of the supply chain and refrain from erecting trade barriers or resorting to irrationality in trade policies," Mr Yau said.

     Mr Yau stressed that Hong Kong, as a founding member of the WTO and a separate customs territory, remains committed to maintaining a free market policy and supporting progressive trade liberalisation. Any unwarranted restrictive and protectionist measures at this critical juncture will only make the pandemic more lethal and detrimental to the region's long-term recovery, he said.

     He reiterated that a well-functioning and effective multilateral trading system is needed more than ever to mitigate the enormous economic challenges and sustain a dynamic but stable international market environment.

     He also told participating ministers about Hong Kong's "suppress and lift" strategy in combating the epidemic, which allows the city to make timely and flexible adjustments to control measures in view of the overall epidemic situation, and added that three rounds of relief measures have been progressively implemented to help businesses to stay afloat and keep workers in employment.

     The VMRT was chaired by Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia and 2020 Chair of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Dato' Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali. Participating ministers exchanged views on concrete initiatives that APEC can undertake in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and charting the path for economic recovery in the region.

     The meeting concluded with the issuance of a VMRT Statement, in which ministers reaffirmed their commitment to effectively mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and promptly steer the region towards a path of resilient, sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.

    

     The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a fresh provision shop in Kwun Tong to suspend business for 14 days as the operator repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally.
 
     The shop, located on the ground floor at No. 14F Shui Wo Street, Kwun Tong, was ordered to suspend business from today (July 25) to August 7.
 
     "In February and October last year, two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the shop. A total fine of $9,600 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
 
     The licensee of the shop had a record of two convictions for the same offence in November 2018. A total fine of $4,000 was levied and 30 demerit points were also registered. The breaches led to a licence suspension for seven days in May last year.
 
     The spokesman reminded the licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
 
     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit a sign, at a conspicuous place near the main entrance, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/index.html).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) announced today (July 25) that a 84-year-old male patient confirmed with COVID-19 (case number: 1710) passed away today.
      
     The patient, with good past health, was admitted to the United Christian Hospital on July 16 afternoon due to shortness of breath, malaise and severe pneumonia. His condition deteriorated while receiving treatment and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) the next day. The patient was further transferred to ICU of PYNEH on July 18. His condition continued to deteriorate and eventually succumbed at 4am today.
      
     The Hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer necessary assistance to his family.
      
     Including the above case, 17 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.