Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government today (June 30) announced the latest disease prevention measures and arrangements under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), extending the social distancing measures in relation to catering business, scheduled premises and group gatherings in public places, as well as continuing the implementation of immigration control measures.

     The World Health Organization and health experts advised that COVID-19 would not be eradicated without effective treatment and vaccination. The Government thus is required to incorporate work in relation to disease prevention and control as well as infection management into the new normal of the daily operation of the society. To this end, the Government has all along adopted the “suppress and lift” strategy and strived to strike a balance among public health protection, economic impact and social acceptance, maintaining the various disease prevention measures while allowing room for gradual resumption of normal operation and activities of the society when the situation permits.  

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said, “We are currently at the ‘lifting’ phase under our ‘suppress and lift’ disease prevention strategy. In view of the latest public health risk assessment, the Government is of the view that this is an appropriate time to further relax the social distancing measures such that social and economic activities may further resume.”

Social distancing measures
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     Taking into account the improvement in the epidemic situation and the Government’s strategy in combating the disease, the Government will gazette today amendments and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) to further relax the social distancing measures as follows: 

Catering business and scheduled premises (Cap. 599F)

(1) On catering business, the restriction on the number of customers at a bar/pub will be relaxed by increasing such limit from not exceeding 50 per cent of the normal seating capacity of that premises and that part of the premises to 80 per cent. Other requirements and restrictions in relation to catering business premises will be maintained.

(2) On scheduled premises, the restriction on the number of persons at large-scale entertainment stations, machines or facilities at places of public entertainment, cinemas or all places of public entertainment with live performance, as well as clubs or nightclubs, will be relaxed by increasing such cap from 50 per cent of the capacity to 80 per cent. Other requirements and restrictions in relation to scheduled premises will be maintained and enhanced based on actual circumstances.

Group gatherings (Cap. 599G)

(3) The number of persons allowed in group gatherings in public places will be maintained at 50. Unless exempted, the prohibition on group gatherings in public places will continue during the 14-day period set out in the paragraph below. Under the exempted group gatherings, the restriction on number of participants in group gatherings during religious activities will be relaxed by increasing such limit from not more than 50 per cent of the number of persons that may normally be accommodated on the premises as a place of worship to 80 per cent. The group gathering must be held at premises constructed or regularly used as a place of worship and in which no food or drink is served (except as part of a religious ritual).

     The latest directions under Cap. 599F (details at Annex) and Cap. 599G will come into effect on July 3, 2020 for a period of 14 days till July 16, 2020.  

     Persons responsible for carrying on catering businesses and the managers of scheduled premises that contravene the statutory requirements under Cap. 599F would have committed a criminal offence. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. 

     Separately, any person who participates in a prohibited group gathering; organises a prohibited group gathering; owns, controls or operates the place of such gathering; and knowingly allows the taking place of such gathering, commits an offence under Cap. 599G. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. Persons who participate in a prohibited group gathering may discharge liability for the offence by paying a fixed penalty of $2,000.

Immigration control measures
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     In addition to implementing social distancing measures in the community, limiting the movement of people between Hong Kong and other places and implementing compulsory quarantine or other infection control measures are integral parts of Hong Kong’s strategy for combating the epidemic. The Government has earlier amended the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) to introduce a mechanism to empower the Secretary for Food and Health to specify Category 1 specified places from which arrivals have to be subject to compulsory quarantine, as well as Category 2 specified places from which arrivals are excluded from the compulsory quarantine requirements subject to meeting certain conditions (such as obtaining a negative COVID-19 test result).  

     The Government has been working closely with relevant authorities of the Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region on mutual recognition of test results and mutual exemption from compulsory quarantine under the framework of joint prevention and control. Subject to the epidemic situation, we will consider relaxing the restrictions on cross-boundary movement of people among the three places within certain limits in order to facilitate those with essential needs to travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong or between Hong Kong and Macao. The statutory framework of Cap. 599C is necessary for implementation of the arrangements concerning cross-boundary movement of people. The Government will publish in the Gazette today legislative amendments to extend the expiry date of Cap. 599C by a month to August 7, 2020.  The Government will announce the relevant details when the outcome of the latest discussions on the arrangements concerning cross-boundary movement of people is available.

     “It has come to our attention that the epidemic in many overseas countries has rebounded with a drastic increase in new cases after relaxation of social distancing measures, necessitating reintroduction of such measures. As such, we will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation and review the various measures in place from time to time with a view to making suitable adjustments taking into account all relevant factors. We also strongly urge the public to stay vigilant, maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives to minimise the risk of outbreak clusters emerging in the community,” said the spokesman. read more

     A Government spokesman said today (June 30) that during the construction of foundation works for a public housing development project at North West Kowloon Reclamation Site 1 (East), the reading in a utility settlement monitoring checkpoint installed at the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL)’s underground water cooling mains at Tung Chau Street near the Tonkin Street junction had shown a minor irregularity. The checkpoint showed a reading of 20.3 millimetres, which slightly exceeded the pre-set trigger level of 20mm. In accordance with established procedures and as a precautionary measure, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) immediately suspended works on a temporarily basis yesterday (June 29) at the relevant public housing development project site as requested by the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) under the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing).

     The additional monitoring checkpoint was installed by the HA to meet the MTRCL’s requirement in accordance with the established procedures for Railway Protection Areas. These procedures aim to facilitate the MTRCL’s monitoring of settlement data of nearby projects, thereby ensuring that the safety of railway operation and railway facilities would not be affected by the works concerned.
 
     The ICU, the HA’s building team and the MTRCL have deployed staff to inspect the affected underground water cooling mains of the air-conditioning system and confirmed that they are in normal operation conditions. The settlement did not affect the structural safety of other adjacent facilities. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has reviewed the relevant report submitted by the MTRCL in relation to safe operation of the railway and confirmed that the condition of the railway fulfilled the operational safety requirements. The construction works concerned did not pose any danger and have not affected the safe operation of the railway and railway facilities.
     
     The ICU, the EMSD and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure safe operation of the railway and the safety of railway facilities.

     The ICU and the MTRCL will request the HA’s building team responsible for the development project to formulate mitigation measures and adopt suitable construction methods that would be able to avoid adverse impacts on the railway facilities before relevant construction works of the development project can resume.
      
     Upon receipt of the corresponding amendment plans of the development project and application for resumption of construction works from the HA, the ICU will vigorously scrutinise the application including consulting the MTRCL and other relevant government departments, so as to ensure safe operation of the railway and the safety of railway facilities. The EMSD will also confirm that the MTRCL has put in place stringent monitoring measures to ensure the safety of railway operation. Moreover, if the HA’s building team proposes to revise the pre-set trigger level(s) for suspension of works, the ICU will consider the proposal having regard to the circumstances after consulting the MTRCL and other relevant government departments. When the application for resumption of suspended works has been agreed, the ICU and the EMSD will make a public announcement about the decision. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     Following is the remarks by Mr Andrew Leung, President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), on the passage of the National Security Law for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at a media briefing at the LegCo Complex today (June 30):
 
     I welcome the passage of The Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress this morning.
 
     The enactment of the National Security Law in the HKSAR can safeguard Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity, and protect according to law the rights and freedoms long enjoyed by the vast majority of law-abiding citizens. I hope the international community can understand that the legislative work will help ensure the social stability of Hong Kong and further strengthen the city’s status as an international financial centre.
 
     I call on the HKSAR Government to explain to LegCo Members as soon as possible the enforcement details. I also urge the Government to make efforts to explain and promote the law to the public. read more

     The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress today (June 30) passed 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 Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, issued the following statement:

     The National Security Law is targeted at the criminal acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security. It provides clear rules and legal basis for preventing, curbing and punishing those who breach the law to endanger national security, and is conducive to safeguarding national security.

     The National Security Law also specifies that the HKSAR should observe the important principles of the rule of law, including the presumption of innocence, the rights of defence and the rule against double jeopardy. It also clearly states that the HKSAR should protect the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with law.

     Welcoming the passage of the National Security Law and its inclusion in Annex III to the Basic Law to be promulgated and implemented in the HKSAR, Ms Cheng would continue to lead the Department of Justice (DoJ) to provide full support for and discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security in the HKSAR.

     As one of the members of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security to be chaired by the Chief Executive, Ms Cheng is committed to assisting in formulating policies and implementing the relevant legal system.

     Ms Cheng added that a dedicated unit of the DoJ has been established to handle prosecutions and related legal matters on national security in accordance with law. read more

     The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, together with the heads of six disciplined services departments, namely the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang; the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Woo Ying-ming; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Joseph Leung; the Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang; and the Controller of the Government Flying Service, Captain Wu Wai-hung, welcomed the passage of The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the National Security Law) by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress today (June 30), pledging full support for the effective implementation of the law in Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Lee said that he would lead the disciplinary forces to fully discharge their due responsibilities to implement the National Security Law, striving to safeguard national security, ensuring the continued success of “one country, two systems”, restoring social peace and preserving Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.
 
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will soon promulgate the National Security Law to prevent, curb and punish criminal acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security. The law will only target an extremely small minority of offenders, while the life and property of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong citizens, as well as their legitimate and fundamental rights and freedoms, will be protected.
 
     As required in the National Security Law, the HKSAR Government will establish as soon as possible the Committee for Safeguarding National Security to be chaired by the Chief Executive with members including the Secretary for Security, the Commissioner of Police, the head of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF)’s dedicated unit for safeguarding national security, the Director of Immigration and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise.
 
     Mr Lee said that he and all disciplinary forces will render full support to the implementation of the National Security Law. The Security Bureau is establishing an enforcement mechanism for effectively safeguarding national security. The dedicated unit being set up in the HKPF will be equipped with effective enforcement power to discharge the enforcement duties under the National Security Law. The other five disciplinary forces will also fully assist in their respective professional areas in collaboration with the HKPF in carrying out work in safeguarding national security.
 
     “The formulation of the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR at a state level shows that the Central Authorities have taken Hong Kong’s practical situation into consideration. The law’s enactment helps Hong Kong restore stability and put the economy back on track, allowing Hong Kong to ride out the difficult times and safeguarding its long-term prosperity and stability. I will lead all disciplinary forces to fully and resolutely support the implementation of the National Security Law, ensuring that the law comes into force effectively,” Mr Lee said. read more