A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (July 23) that a sample from a pet cat sent to the AFCD has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
 
     The case involves an American short-haired cat that lived in Sheung Wan. When the owner was confirmed as having COVID-19, the cat was sent for quarantine at the animal keeping facility at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on July 21. A sample collected from the cat by the department tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. However, the cat has not shown any symptoms at present. The AFCD will continue to closely monitor the cat and conduct repeated testing.
 
     The spokesman reminded pet owners to adopt good hygiene practices (including hand washing before and after being around or handling animals, their food or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing them) and to maintain a clean and hygienic household environment. People who are sick should restrict contact with animals. If any changes in the health condition of the pets are spotted, advice from a veterinarian should be sought as soon as possible.
 
     The spokesman emphasised that currently there is no evidence that pets are playing a role in the spread of human infection with the COVID-19 virus. Pet owners should always maintain good hygiene practices and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets.

     The Housing Department today (July 23) learned that a female security guard working at the Estate Management Office (EMO) of Choi Fai Estate tested positive for COVID-19. She is now staying in a hospital for treatment.
 
     The security guard is responsible for handling telephone calls and monitoring the security system in the control room of the EMO. Normally she does not have contact with residents. She last performed work duties on July 22.  
 
     The security guard has no recent travel history. She has been wearing a face mask and observing relevant disease prevention measures at work. When performing duties, she has been undergoing temperature checks and her temperature was normal.
 
     The EMO of Choi Fai Estate and its control room have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the guidelines of Centre for Health Protection (CHP). Due to the special work arrangements for government departments, the EMO was closed today.
 
     The Housing Department will continue to keep close liaison with the CHP and co-operate with its quarantine work.

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (July 23) visited the North Lantau Transfer Station (NLTS) to inspect the distribution of face masks by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to drivers of refuse collection vehicles who use the NLTS's refuse transfer service as well as the operation of the station. The EPD will distribute approximately 80 000 face masks to the refuse collection trade and recycling facilities under the EPD to support the work of frontline personnel and thank them for standing ready to fight the epidemic.
 
     At present, municipal solid waste (MSW) is mainly collected by refuse collection vehicles and then sent to landfills for direct disposal or through refuse transfer stations. To show care and concern to the some 1 000 refuse collection vehicle drivers who are self-employed or employed by private companies, the EPD has distributed around 50 000 face masks to them.
 
     The NLTS that Mr Wong visited was located in Siu Ho Wan. As with other refuse transfer stations, the process of waste handling at the NLTS is mainly operated by machinery, with station staff not needing to contact or handle the waste manually. The contractor of the transfer station is required to regularly clean the waste tipping hall, the station floor, the waste conveyor system and machinery as well as the containers and trucks used for waste transfers, while all refuse collection vehicles are required to have their bodies washed before leaving the transfer station and landfills to stay clean and hygienic. During the epidemic, the EPD has added disinfectants in the vehicle wash facilities of the refuse transfer stations and landfills to enhance epidemic prevention.
 
     When distributing masks to drivers of refuse collection vehicles before they departed from the NLTS, the EPD reminded them to stay alert to environmental hygiene and anti-epidemic issues. Mr Wong said, "Waste treatment is an essential public service and environmental hygiene is especially important at this time of fighting the epidemic. I am grateful to the concerned frontline staff for continuing to relentlessly provide the service amid the epidemic."
 
     To assist the waste transfer sector in increasing resources to enhance the provision of workers' personal protective equipment and strengthen the disinfection of refuse transport vehicles, the Environment Bureau earlier launched the Subsidy Scheme for the Refuse Transfer Station Account Holders for Transporting Municipal Solid Waste to offer a one-off relief subsidy of $8,000 to each of the eligible private municipal solid waste collectors. Subsidies totalling about $6.5 million were disbursed to eligible collectors to help the trade cope with current challenges and maintain environmental hygiene.
 
     In addition, the EPD will provide around 30 000 masks to about 500 frontline employees of resource recycling facilities operators (such as WEEE·PARK, Community Green Stations and the Community Recycling Network), encouraging the trade to enhance employees’ awareness of hygiene and to fight the epidemic together.

        

     The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) today (July 23) announced that, in light of the extension of the special work arrangement for government employees until August 2, persons intending to apply for Registration Cards for People with Disabilities can continue to download the application forms from the LWB's website (www.lwb.gov.hk/en/servicedesk/forms). Duly completed application forms with the required documents can be submitted via the LWB's website by e-submission, or posted to Central Registry for Rehabilitation, Labour and Welfare Bureau, Unit 1001, 10/F, THE HUB, 23 Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong.

     Enquiries can be sent by email to the LWB (enquiry@lwb.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent website and suspicious mobile application (App), which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the App concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the App should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.