Author Archives: hksar gov

     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 290 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $800,000 and a duty potential of about $550,000 at Ngau Tau Kok and Shenzhen Bay Control Point on April 29 and May 2 respectively.

     Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Ngau Tau Kok on April 29 and intercepted a light goods vehicle (LGV) suspected of distributing illicit cigarettes. About 80 000 suspected illicit cigarettes and a batch of suspected illicit cigarette promotion leaflets were seized on board the vehicle. Customs arrested the 31-year-old male driver and a 20-year-old man involved in the case. The LGV was also detained. The two arrested men were charged with contravening the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and will appear at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on May 14.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Shenzhen Bay Control Point on May 2. About 210 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were found concealed inside a batch of yoga ball packaging boxes placed inside 15 cartons mix-loaded with other goods on the truck. The 42-year-old male driver was then arrested and the truck was also detained. Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Under the DCO, 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).

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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 WeLab Bank Limited on phishing email, which h… read more

     The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau announced today (May 4) that three production lines previously approved under the Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme have withdrawn from the Scheme and the subsidy quota concerned has been allocated to the following companies:
 

1. SDL Skin (Asia) Limited has been approved for obtaining a subsidy for a second production line. This production line’s target commencement date for supplying certified masks to the Government (the target commencement date) is April 20 as estimated in its application. It is expected to supply an average of 1.6 million masks every month to the Government. The production line may receive a subsidy of up to $1 million.
    
2. Safeguard HK Limited has been approved for obtaining a subsidy for one production line, with April 20 as the target commencement date as estimated in its application. It is expected to supply an average of 500 000 masks every month to the Government. The production line may receive a subsidy of up to $2 million.
    
3. SwissTech Limited has been approved for obtaining a subsidy for one production line, with April 21 as the target commencement date as estimated in its application. It is expected to supply an average of 2 million masks every month to the Government and to produce a further 1 million masks on average every month for the local market. The production line may receive a subsidy of up to $3 million.

     The Government estimates that, when all the 20 subsidised lines under the Scheme are in full production, every month they will collectively supply 33.85 million masks to the Government and supply a further 7.15 million to the local market.

     The companies which withdrew from the Scheme were CareHK Limited and Shang Manufactory Limited. The Government had yet to sign funding agreements with and make disbursements to the said companies. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (May 4), the CHP was investigating an additional confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1 041 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 040 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported case announced today involves a 27-year-old female who had a travel history during the incubation period. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed case are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex.
 
     The CHP urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives. 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.”
 
     The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization, the National Health Commission, the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, relevant health authorities and the Hospital Authority.
 
     The CHP has set up hotlines (2125 1111 and 2125 1122), which operate from 8am to midnight daily, for public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 103 812 calls had been received.
 
     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.
 
     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 door knobs, 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 Legislative Council Secretariat:      The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (May 6) at 11am and Thursday (May 7) at 9am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex.&nbsp… read more