In view of the latest development of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government today (June 30) announced that the previous measures to assist foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and their employers to cope with the special circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended with immediate effect.
 
Extension of validity period of existing contracts

     The flexibility arrangement announced on February 4, 2020 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/04/P2020020400547.htm) and March 19, 2020 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/19/P2020031900394.htm) to enable employers to extend the validity period of the existing contracts with their outgoing FDHs will be further extended. The flexibility arrangement aims to assist those employers whose contracts with their existing FDHs are due to expire soon, but are in the situation where the newly hired FDHs cannot fly in to commence the new contract. The Commissioner for Labour has now given further in-principle consent for all FDH contracts that will expire on or before September 30, 2020, to vary the period stated in Clause 2 of the Standard Employment Contract by extending the period of employment up to October 31, 2020, on the basis that such variation is mutually agreed upon by both the employer and the FDH. 

     If the contract with the current FDH has already been extended under the flexibility arrangement announced on February 4, 2020 and/or March 19, 2020, the employer may submit an application to the Immigration Department (ImmD) to further extend the period of employment and stay of the FDH up to October 31, 2020, if both the employer and the FDH mutually agree to the variation.

Extension of limit of stay as visitors

     As announced by the Government on March 21, 2020 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/21/P2020032000829.htm), applications from FDHs to extend their limit of stay in Hong Kong as visitors will be flexibly considered. FDHs whose existing contracts are due to expire or are terminated on or before September 30, 2020 may apply to ImmD for an extension of limit of stay in Hong Kong (for a maximum period of one month) as visitors for the purpose of finding a new employer in Hong Kong, if they are unable to return to their place of origin due to the pandemic in their place of origin and/or international travel restrictions arising from the pandemic. 

     An FDH who has already extended his/her limit of stay as a visitor in Hong Kong under the flexibility arrangement announced on March 21, 2020 may submit an application to ImmD to further extend his/her limit of stay as a visitor for the purpose of finding a new employer in Hong Kong. ImmD will exercise discretion to grant the FDHs concerned an extension of stay for a maximum period of one month depending on individual case merits under the special circumstances arising from the pandemic.
 
Deferral of home leave
 
     Under the existing mechanism, an FDH on a renewed contract with the same employer, or due to start a new contract with a new employer upon the expiry of an existing contract may apply to ImmD for deferring home leave for no more than one year after the existing contract ends, subject to agreement of his/her employer or new employer. 

     As announced by the Government on March 21, 2020 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/21/P2020032000829.htm), FDHs who have previously been approved to defer home leave upon the start of their new contract but need to further defer home leave may apply to ImmD for further extension of limit of stay for not more than six months, subject to mutual agreement between FDHs and their employers. 

     In view of the latest situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, FDHs who are still unable to return to their place of origin for home leave within their current limit of stay may continue to apply to ImmD for an extension of limit of stay. If the FDHs concerned who have already been granted a further extension of stay as per the preceding paragraph (i.e. the total extension of limit of stay amounts to not more than one and a half years) wish to further defer their home leave, ImmD will, on individual case merits, consider exercising discretion to grant them a further extension of limit of stay for not more than three months. Arrangements should be made by the employer for the FDH to return to his/her place of origin for vacation within the extended period, and to use his/her entry visa (with a validity in line with the extension of stay granted) upon his/her return to Hong Kong for completion of the contract. 
 
     For enquiries, please contact ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111 or by email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 30) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:
 
     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should rest in a cool or shady place and drink water immediately. They should also inform their supervisors to take appropriate actions.
 

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs today (June 29) smashed a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse in Sheung Shui and seized about 22 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $59 million and a duty potential of about $42 million. This is the largest illicit cigarette storage case detected by Customs in town in the past two decades.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted at Ying Pun Ha Tsuen in Sheung Shui today, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes from two trucks and a metal shed. A 29-year-old man, who claimed that his occupation is a driver, suspected to be in connection with the case was arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to combat illicit cigarette activities at all fronts through a multi-pronged approach.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

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