Author Archives: hksar gov

     In response to media enquiries regarding the offices set up in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by the Central Government, a spokesman for the HKSAR Government said:

     The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (LOCPG) is an office set up in the HKSAR by the Central People’s Government, not “offices in the HKSAR set up by departments of the Central People’s Government” as stated in Article 22(2) of the Basic Law.

     The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR was established in the HKSAR in accordance with Article 13 of the Basic Law, while the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison was stationed in the HKSAR by the Central People’s Government in accordance with Article 14 of the Basic Law. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (April 18), the CHP was investigating two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, taking the number of cases to 1 024 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 023 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Separately, in view of some recent cases involving persons under home quarantine who have been tested positive for COVID-19 around the completion date of the quarantine, starting from Monday (April 20), apart from requiring all asymptomatic inbound travellers arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to collect their deep throat saliva (DTS) samples at the DH’s Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) for conducting testing for COVID-19, the DH will on a trial basis provide them with an extra specimen collection container for their collection of DTS samples during home quarantine for another round of virus testing.

     After collecting the extra specimen collection container, they have to collect their DTS sample by themselves on a designated date before the completion of the 14-day compulsory quarantine at home or a designated place. They should arrange to hand in their specimens, either through their family or friends or the door-to-door specimen collection service, to any of the collection points in the same morning.

     The collection points of the samples are 13 designated chest clinics or dermatological clinics under the DH from 9am to 11am on Monday to Sunday and also some general out-patient clinics under the Hospital Authority from 8.30am to 9.30am on Monday to Friday (except public holiday). 

    The newly reported cases announced today involve a four-year-old girl and a 29-year-old man. Both had a travel history during the incubation period and the man is an overseas student. 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, “In view of the proliferation of the disease and 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 94 305 calls were 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

     In response to media enquiries on recent remarks made by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on the operation of the House Committee of the Legislative Council, a spokesman for the HKSAR Government gives the following reply today (April 18): 

     “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. 

     “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a local administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, which enjoys a high degree of autonomy and comes directly under the Central People’s Government (CPG). 

     “The LOCPG is one of the three organisations set up in the HKSAR by the Central Government in accordance with Article 22(2) of the Basic Law, and is authorised by the CPG to have special responsibility to handle issues relating to Hong Kong. It is entrusted with the authority and responsibility to represent the CPG to express views and exercise supervisory power on major issues such as those concerning the relationship between the CPG and the SAR, the accurate implementation of the Basic Law, the proper operation of the political system and the well-being of the community as a whole.

     “The House Committee of the Legislative Council has failed to elect its Chairman after 15 meetings over the past six months. The concerns expressed and comments made by the HKMAO and LOCPG on the matter are legitimate from the perspectives of the Constitution, governance and operation, and are in full compliance with the constitutional order under “one country, two systems”. Such moves do not constitute any interference to the affairs which the HKSAR administers on its own in accordance with the Basic Law.

     “As with offices set up in the HKSAR by departments of the Central Government, or by provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the CPG, the LOCPG and its personnel shall abide by the laws of the HKSAR in accordance with Article 22(3) of the Basic Law.” read more

     In response to media enquiries on recent remarks made by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on the operation of the House Committee of the Legislative Council, a spokesman for the HKSAR Government gives the following reply today (April 18):

     “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China.

     “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a local administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, which enjoys a high degree of autonomy and comes directly under the Central People’s Government (CPG).

     “The LOCPG is one of the three organisations set up in the HKSAR by the Central Government, and is authorised by the CPG to have special responsibility to handle issues relating to Hong Kong. It is entrusted with the authority and responsibility to represent the CPG to express views and exercise supervisory power on major issues such as those concerning the relationship between the CPG and the SAR, the accurate implementation of the Basic Law, the proper operation of the political system and the well-being of the community as a whole.

     “The House Committee of the Legislative Council has failed to elect its Chairman after 15 meetings over the past six months. The concerns expressed and comments made by the HKMAO and LOCPG on the matter are legitimate from the perspectives of the Constitution, governance and operation, and are in full compliance with the constitutional order under “one country, two systems”. Such moves do not constitute any interference to the affairs which the HKSAR administers on its own in accordance with the Basic Law.

     “The LOCPG and its personnel shall abide by the Basic Law and laws of the HKSAR.” read more

     Hong Kong Customs seized about two kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million at the Hong Kong International Airport on April 15.

     Customs officers inspected an air parcel arriving in Hong Kong from Taiwan on that day and found the suspected liquid cocaine concealed inside two liquor bottles.

     Subsequent to its follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (April 17) arrested a 22-year-old man in Tai Po suspected to be connected with the case.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on April 20.

     Customs will maintain its close contacts with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking activities through postal parcels or express courier channels.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

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