A spokesman for the Innovation and Technology Bureau said that the quality of  CuMask+™ is assured. All masks have been sterilised with ozone before they are packed.

     "The manufacturer responsible for the mass production of CuMask+™ï¸� is certified to the ISO 9001 quality management system.  Quality control is in place during production. Should any defect or stain be found in the process, the masks produced will not pass the quality requirement," the spokesman said yesterday (May 19).

     To ensure hygiene, masks should be properly handled after open. CuMask+™ should be rinsed with clean water and soap every day. The filter layer needs not be detached while washing. Do not twist, wring, iron or tumble-dry CuMask+™. Lay flat until it is thoroughly dry before putting it away.

     Police today (May 19) laid a charge against an 87-year-old man with one count of manslaughter. He is in suspected connection with a case happened on November 11, 2018 in Tsim Sha Tsui, in which a 52-year-old woman died.

     At about 5.05pm that day, Police received a report that the 52-year-old woman collapsed inside a clinic on Humphreys Avenue. Police officers sped to the scene. The woman was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 9.42am the next day.

     The Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon West took over the investigation and laid a holding charge against the man on May 3, 2019 with two counts of attempted misleading a police officer, 12 counts of failing to keep a register of dangerous drugs and seven counts of failing to keep a register of dangerous drugs in the form specified in the first schedule. The case was mentioned at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on May 6, 2019.

     Upon further investigation, Police arrested him today for manslaughter.

     He was additionally charged with one count of manslaughter. The case will be mentioned at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 20).

     The Government will gazette today (May 19) directions and amendments 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 extend the social distancing measures in relation to catering businesses, scheduled premises and group gatherings in public places, as well as make appropriate adjustments to these measures having regard to the latest situation.  

     A spokesperson for the Food and Health Bureau said, "The situation in Hong Kong has become more stabilised in terms of the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the recent weeks.  However, in view of the three local cluster cases last week, the 'suppress and lift' strategy adopted to contain the epidemic and the impending school resumption, we should for now maintain the current social distancing measures subject to refinements to meet the operational needs of some businesses, and review them further depending on the future development of the epidemic situation." 

     In view of the need for worshippers to participate in religious activities raised by religious groups, the Government will relax the restrictions in relation to group gatherings for religious gatherings subject to fulfilment of suitable infection control requirements.  However, having regard to the need on public health and infection control considerations, there is a need to maintain restrictions on public group gatherings. Details are as follows: 

(1) The scope of existing exempted group gatherings (at Annex 1) will be expanded to cover religious gatherings during which no food or drink is served (except food or drink as part of a religious ritual). The exempted religious activities must be held at premises constructed as or converted into a place of worship, such as a church, monastery or nunnery, mosque, synagogue or temple; or premises regularly used as a place of worship. Measures must be in place for restricting the number of participants in the activity to not more than 50 per cent of the number of persons that may normally be accommodated on the premises as a place of worship.

(2) The prohibition of group gatherings with more than eight persons in public places under Cap. 599G will remain in force for 14 days until June 4, 2020.

     In addition, the Government will take this opportunity to make adjustments to the directions under Cap. 599F, the latest relevant social distancing measures (requirements applicable to each type of premises at Annex 2) are as follows:

(3) For catering business, the requirements currently in force will be extended for 14 days i.e. effective from May 22 to June 4, 2020. Any mahjong-tin kau playing facility provided therein must comply with the applicable directions applicable to mahjong-tin kau premises at Annex 2.  

(4) For scheduled premises which may continue to operate, the following key adjustments will be made to the conditions currently in force:

(a) fitness centre: each group training or class must consist of no more than eight persons including the coach; for a group training or class of more than eight persons, it must be conducted in a way to ensure there is at least 1.5 metres between each person (except the coach) and the coach must wear a mask at all times if he is not staying at a fixed location not less than 1.5 metres from other persons;

(b) place of public entertainment:
(i) no more than eight persons may be allowed at each entertainment station, machine or facility where applicable, or in the case of a large-scale entertainment station, machine or facility, the number of persons to be allowed at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the designed capacity of the entertainment station, machine or facility; and
(ii) catering premises in a place of public entertainment must comply with the applicable directions; and

(c) The requirements applicable to scheduled premises, including the above, will be effective from May 22 to June 4, 2020 for a period of 14 days.

(5) The following scheduled premises will be required to remain closed from May 22 to 28, 2020 for a period of seven days:
(a) bathhouse;
(b) party room;
(c) club or night club; and
(d) karaoke establishment.

     The spokesperson added, "The above measures have balanced the oft-competing factors of public health protection, economic impact and social acceptance. They would help maintain social distancing while allowing room for gradual resumption of social activities. The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation and review the various measures in place from time to time with a view to suitably adjusting them taking into account all relevant factors."
 
     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.

     The Government announced today (May 19) the tender result for the second Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents (SH) pilot project at Anderson Road, Kwun Tong. This is the first time the Government provides SH units through land sale. 

     According to the land sale conditions, all residential units to be built by the developer on the site should range from 23 sq m to 46 sq m (around 250 sq ft to 500 sq ft) in saleable area, among which 20 per cent shall be studio units, 25 per cent shall be one-bedroom units and the remaining 55 per cent shall be two-bedroom units. After the developer has obtained occupation permit of the project, the Government will randomly select from all residential units no less than 1 000 SH units, including 200 studio units, 250 one-bedroom units and 550 two-bedroom units.
  
     The developer is required to offer for sale the SH units selected by the Government at 80 per cent of the market prices to persons who meet the eligibility criteria set by the Government.

     The eligibility criteria of SH applicants should include the following – applicants have to be Hong Kong residents who have lived in Hong Kong for seven years; who have never owned any residential property in Hong Kong; whose income falls between the income limits for White Form (WF) applicants for the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) and 30 per cent above such limits; and whose assets should not exceed the limit of 30 per cent above the HOS asset limits for WF applicants. The Government will determine the detailed eligibility criteria prior to the sale of SH units by the developer by making reference to the prevailing HOS limits.

     The SH units are subject to alienation restrictions. Owners cannot sell or let their SH units in the first five years after purchase. After the first five years, owners have to pay a premium to the Government before they can sell or let their units in the open market. The alienation restrictions are the same as those imposed under the SH pilot project at Ma Tau Wai Road.

     "The Government wishes to test out the arrangements of enlisting developers to build and sell SH units through inviting tender for the site on Anderson Road. The Government will make reference to relevant experience in considering the way forward of SH pilot project," a Government spokesman said. 

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (May 19) the reopening arrangements for public swimming pools. Thirty-three public swimming pools will be reopened on May 21 (Thursday) and details are at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/common/documents/reopen_annex1.pdf. For details of facilities in swimming pools to be reopened, please refer to notices displayed at the venues. The reopened swimming pools will be open from 6.30am to 10pm for three sessions daily with two breaks.

     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the LCSD will adopt special measures at public swimming pools to be reopened, which include:
 

• Reopening some swimming pool facilities only such as main pools, secondary pools, training pools or  teaching pools;
• Temporarily limiting the number of users in swimming pools to maintain distance among swimmers;
• Distributing numbered tickets to people lining up when the numbers of users in swimming pools have reached the temporary maximum pool capacity, and reminding them to take note of the numbers shown on the queuing board in order to avoid people gathering;
• Arranging body temperature screening for all people entering swimming pools. Those with symptoms such as fever or respiratory illness will not be allowed to enter the swimming pools;
• Opening alternate shower cubicles and shower heads to ensure appropriate distance between users of shower facilities;
• Prohibiting group gatherings of more than eight people in the swimming pools; and
• Closing spectator stands at swimming pools temporarily.

     The public are also advised to wear their own masks before and after swimming, as well as when lining up to enter the swimming pools.

     Public Swimming Pool Monthly Tickets will be available at designated booking offices of Public Swimming Pool Monthly Tickets and Leisure Link Booking Offices at the District Leisure Services Offices from tomorrow (May 20). The LCSD will expedite the processing of block booking applications in or after June when the public swimming pools have reopened.

     In addition, the LCSD announced that 15 gazetted beaches will be reopened on May 23 (Saturday). Please refer to www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/common/documents/reopen_annex2.pdf for details of beaches to be reopened. Lifeguard services will be provided daily at the reopened gazetted beaches from 9am to 6pm. The services will be extended from 8am to 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the peak period from June to August.

     The LCSD appeals to beach-goers to comply with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap 599G) on the prohibition of group gatherings of more than eight people. To ensure appropriate distance between shower facilities users, only alternate shower cubicles and shower heads will be open. The LCSD will step up crowd control and cleaning work inside changing rooms. Staff of the LCSD will also step up patrol of the beaches concerned and take appropriate follow-up action against any violation of relevant regulations when necessary.

     Apart from the 15 reopened gazetted beaches mentioned above, all other beaches will remain closed with lifeguard services suspended. The public should neither swim nor gather at the closed beaches for social distancing reasons and to avoid accidents. LCSD staff will step up patrol of the beaches concerned. Appropriate follow-up action will be taken against any violation of relevant regulations.