Hong Kong Customs seized about 1.5 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $810,000 in two cases at Hong Kong International Airport and Lok Ma Chau Control Point on March 17 and 27 respectively.

     In the first case, Customs officers inspected an air postal parcel that arrived from Malaysia at Hong Kong International Airport on March 17 and seized about 1kg of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $540,000 concealed under coffee powder packages.

     Subsequent to follow-up investigations, Customs officers arrested a 26-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case on April 2 in Ap Lei Chau. The man has been released on bail pending investigation.

     In the second case, Customs officers found a Malaysian parcel on board an in-bound lorry at Lok Ma Chau Control Point on March 27. About 500 grams of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $270,000 was seized inside the carton box interlining of the parcel.

     Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of a 38-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case on April 3 in Lai Chi Kok. The man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on April 6.

     Customs will maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcel 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 the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (April 4), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 166 patients (82 male and 84 female, aged 6 to 93) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of COVID-19. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.
      
     There are 724 patients under isolation currently. So far, 186 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Pok Oi Hospital (POH) today (April 4) announced a patient case that tested positive for COVID-19 with an unknown source of infection.

     The nasopharyngeal swab of a 93-year-old male patient at POH tested positive for COVID-19. His sample has been referred to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) for further laboratory testing. The patient was admitted to a Medicine & Geriatrics (M&G) ward of POH on March 10 because of stroke. He was then transferred to another M&G ward on 8/F on March 28 until he was discharged on April 1. On April 3 the patient was admitted to POH with fever and vomiting. As he had symptoms of a chest infection, he was admitted to a surveillance ward and his nasopharyngeal swab was taken for COVID-19 testing. The patient is now in serious condition.

     The patient had been staying in the hospital for most of the time during the incubation period. POH is working closely with the CHP and infectious disease experts to identify the possible source of infection.

     According to the guideline of the CHP, the infectious period was set as two days before the onset of symptoms. Patient admissions have been suspended for the M&G wards that the patient had stayed in and deep cleansing of the wards will be arranged. The hospital will conduct the medical surveillance and quarantine arrangements for staff members and patients who have had contact with the patient during the incubation period.

     In view of the current severe epidemic situation, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 4) appealed to members of the public to defer their grave sweeping plans. Doing so can lessen crowd conditions and reduce close contact, thereby reducing the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus through social contact.
 
     The FEHD reminded grave sweepers to avoid group gatherings when grave sweeping, maintain an appropriate social distance with others at all times and avoid meal gatherings with relatives and friends at worship sites.
 
     An FEHD spokesman said, "The Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) came into effect on March 29. The regulation prohibits group gatherings with more than four people in public places and grave sweeping is not exempted. Therefore, members of the public have to abide by the group gathering regulation by having not more than four people together during grave sweeping unless they are living in the same household. In addition, a distance of at least 1.5 metres should be maintained between grave sweeper groups."
 
     For members of the public visiting cemeteries and columbaria to pay respects to ancestors, the spokesman reminded that they should seek medical advice promptly and refrain from going grave sweeping if they have fever or respiratory symptoms. Grave sweepers should maintain good personal hygiene, wear surgical masks and always keep their hands clean. They are also reminded to keep flammable items (e.g. alcohol antiseptic sprays and alcohol-based hand sanitisers) away from ignition sources, incense and candles, and furnaces for the sake of safety.
 
     The spokesman stressed, "At this critical moment when the epidemic situation remains severe, members of the public should co-operate and work together to fight the virus. They should seriously consider postponing grave sweeping activities so as to prevent and protect themselves and their family members from infection, thereby preventing the spread of the virus in the community."
 
     The FEHD appeals to members of the public to make use of the Internet Memorial Service webpage (www.memorial.gov.hk) or the related mobile application to pay tribute to deceased loved ones.

     To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will organise a series of activities to promote the Constitution and the Basic Law to various sectors of the community in order to enhance the public’s understanding of their contents and provisions.
 
     A Government spokesman said today (April 4) that an online exhibition on the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law will be launched in April. The exhibition will lead the audience to review, in the form of a time tunnel, the historical background of the Basic Law, as well as its drafting, promulgation and successful implementation in Hong Kong. Apart from browsing the information, members of the public can also take part in online interactive games.
 
     The spokesman said, "The Government will also roll out this month a video series and a TV Announcement in the Public Interest on the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law. Taking into account the actual situation, a Basic Law seminar and a legal summit are planned to be held later this year to discuss the important topics relating to the Constitution and the Basic Law.
 
     "To strengthen online publicity and promotion efforts, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) has introduced an online game on the Constitution and the Basic Law under the theme of helping neighbours. The game aims at deepening the public's knowledge of the two documents. Members of the public can access the game via www.cmabonlinegame.hk starting from today till June 30," he said.
 
     "The Government will also organise other publicity and promotional activities for different target groups such as an online quiz as well as producing children's books and board games featuring the Constitution and the Basic Law."
 
     To encourage community participation, the HKSAR Government will continue to sponsor non-government organisations and community bodies through the Basic Law Promotion Activity Sponsorship Scheme and the Basic Law Promotion Research Sponsorship Scheme to organise different types of promotional activities and conduct research projects on the Constitution and the Basic Law with the aim to diversify the channels and perspectives in its promotional efforts.
 
     The Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee led by the Chief Secretary for Administration provided views and steering on the overall strategy and key aspects for promoting the Basic Law. Five working groups (namely Local Community; Teachers and Students; Civil Servants; Industrial, Commercial and Professional Sectors; and Community Outside Hong Kong) were set up for planning and organising activities on various fronts to promote the Constitution and the Basic Law. The working groups will strengthen their work in promotion and education this year.
 
     The Basic Law was adopted by the National People's Congress and promulgated on April 4, 1990. It came into effect on July 1, 1997, when the HKSAR was established. The Basic Law is enacted in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, and enshrines in the form of law the important concepts of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. The Basic Law prescribes the systems to be practised in the HKSAR in order to ensure the implementation of the basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong.