Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (June 21), the CHP was investigating three additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1 132 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 131 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported cases announced today involve a male and two females aged between 29 and 37. All of them had a travel history during the incubation period. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex.
 
     The CHP again urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives to minimise the risk of infection. In particular, they should go out less and avoid social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings to reduce the chance of contacting infected persons who may not present any symptoms, and minimise the risk of outbreak clusters emerging in the community.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, “Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
 
     “The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
 
     “As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.”
 
     Moreover, the Government has launched the website “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the “StayHomeSafe” mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:
 
     The Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) will meet on Tuesday (June 23) to consider three applications for new issue, renewal, transfer and amendment of liquor licences.
 
     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Hong Kong and Islands:
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11 Westside in Kennedy Town
“Food Street” in Sai Wan
Comet Lounge Karaoke in Cheung Chau
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai. In response to the latest developments of coronavirus disease 2019, to avoid the gathering of people in an enclosed environment and safeguard the health of all participants, public seats will not be available for all open hearings of the LLB in the interim. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 21) that due to big wa… read more

     In response to the report by Xinhua News Agency today (June 20) on a summary of the explanatory statement by an official of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC on June 18 on a draft law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, made the following statement:
 
     It is the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR to safeguard national security. Taking into consideration the practical situation in Hong Kong, the enactment at the state level of legislation to safeguard national security in the HKSAR is a significant initiative by the Central Authorities at a critical moment to enhance the “One Country, Two Systems” institutional system, ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government fully supports this initiative and will fulfil its responsibility to ensure the effective implementation of the relevant law in Hong Kong.
 
     Since the passage of the Decision on establishing and improving legal system and enforcement mechanisms for HKSAR to safeguard national security (the Decision) by the third session of the 13th NPC on May 28, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the relevant principal officials were arranged to be the first to express their views to the central leading group on Hong Kong and Macao work on June 3. The SAR Government notes with appreciation that according to the summary of the explanatory statement of the draft law, the relevant parties had seriously studied the views reflected by the SAR Government, considered the actual situation of Hong Kong and enhanced the draft legislation through multiple reviews under the spirit of absorbing opinions as much as possible. In particular, the drafting process leverages, follows and reflects an important principle, which is, taking into account the difference between the Mainland and Hong Kong and making every effort in ensuring the compatibility and complementarity of the said national security law with the relevant national laws and the local laws in the HKSAR.
 
     Article 4 of the Decision specifies that the HKSAR must establish and improve institutions and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security to strengthen enforcement power and the enforcement work on national security. The HKSAR Government agrees that, as proposed in the draft law, Hong Kong should establish a commission for safeguarding national security to be chaired by the Chief Executive, as well as set up dedicated units in the Hong Kong Police Force and the Department of Justice which will shoulder the major responsibilities in implementing the relevant enforcement work. The HKSAR Government is undertaking the necessary preparatory work.
 
     The enactment of legislation for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR is to prevent, curb and sanction four types of criminal acts, namely acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security. It will only target an extremely small minority of people who have breached the law on those offences, while the life and property, basic rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong residents will be protected. According to the summary of the explanatory statement, the draft law makes it clear that the law for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR will follow a number of important principles in line with the rule of law, including that conviction and sentencing of crimes should be well defined in the law, presumption of innocence, and protection of the rights of the suspect, etc. It should also respect and protect the rights and freedoms which are applicable in Hong Kong under the Basic Law and relevant international covenants. These clear provisions should be able to allay public concerns. In fact, since the Decision has been endorsed, relevant Central Authorities have repeatedly emphasised in public that the legislation will uphold the principles of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy, and will not affect the capitalist system in Hong Kong and the HKSAR’s legal system. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The spokesman for the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) today (June 20) announced that a 78-year-old female COVID-19 confirmed case (case no. 1092) passed away t… read more