The "Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Property Management Sector" (ASPM) under the "Anti-epidemic Fund" is opening for applications and continues to disburse subsidies. 
         
     The ASPM is implemented by the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA). As of today (May 2), the PMSA has received over 8 160 applications for the ASPM, of which around 2 850 applications have been approved. The approved applications involve subsidies of over $100 million and benefit over 17 500 building blocks and around 25 500 frontline property management (PM) workers. Please refer to the website of the PMSA (www.pmsahk.org.hk/en/index.html) for the name of the properties for which applications have been approved.
    
     The Home Affairs Department reminds the PM companies and owners' organisations (OOs) which has successfully applied for the ASPM to disburse the "Anti-epidemic Hardship Allowance" to the frontline PM workers as soon as practicable upon receiving the subsidies. The workers concerned shall acknowledge receipt of the allowance using the prescribed forms; and the PM companies or OOs shall submit a report on the overall payment of the allowance to the PMSA within three months after receiving the subsidies. The Home Affairs Department and/or PMSA will conduct random review and checking to ensure that the frontline PM workers have received relevant allowance.
    
     The Government has launched the ASPM under the "Anti-epidemic Fund" to subsidise the OOs or PM companies of eligible buildings to provide the "Anti-epidemic Hardship Allowance" to the frontline PM workers, with a view to assisting the frontline PM workers in improving their personal protection and environmental hygiene, and giving recognition to their services. The ASPM will also provide "Anti-epidemic Cleansing Subsidy" to OOs or PM companies, so as to alleviate the additional costs arising from heightened cleansing efforts and the burden on the owners and tenants. The ASPM (Phase I) covers private residential and composite (i.e. commercial cum residential) buildings; whereas the ASPM (Phase II) covers industrial and commercial buildings (including shopping malls). The applications for the ASPM shall be made by PM companies or OOs. Individual frontline PM workers are not required to make applications on their own so as to save them from additional burden in preparing the relevant documents.
         
     For details on the ASPM, please contact the PMSA at 3696 1156 or 3696 1166, or visit the website of the PMSA.

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has been informed by International Social Service (Hong Kong Branch) that the territory-wide flag-selling activity in public places scheduled to be held today (May 2) has been cancelled, a spokesman for the SWD said.

     For enquiries, please contact Ms Fung of the organisation at 2835 7502.
 

     Police today (May 1) appealed to the public for information on a fatal traffic accident in Kwun Tong on April 18 in which a 60-year-old man died.

     At about 6.30am that day, Police received a report from a passer-by that a man was found lying on Hip Wo Street near Kwun Tong Road roundabout. A bicycle was found next to the man.

     Sustaining head injuries, the man was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in semi-conscious state and was certified dead at 12.37pm yesterday (April 30).

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon East is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 2305 7500 or 2305 7570.  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (May 1), the CHP was investigating two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, taking the number of cases to 1 040 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 039 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported cases announced today involve a 34-year-old male and a 16-year-old female. Both of them are returnees from Pakistan who arrived in Hong Kong on a chartered flight yesterday (April 30). 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 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 102 584 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 the 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (May 1), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of eight patients (five male and three female, aged 7 to 83) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of COVID-19. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.

     There are 194 patients under isolation currently. So far, 859 patients who had COVID-19 confirmed or probable infections have been discharged upon recovery.

     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.