A Government spokesman said today (April 2) that the operating hours of the passenger clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Port will be adjusted to 10am to 8pm daily with effect from April 3 until further notice. The operating hours for cargo clearance will not be affected and remain unchanged (i.e. from 6:30 am to midnight daily).
 
     In response to the dire situation of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government have, after deliberation, agreed to shorten the operating hours of the passenger clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Port to reduce the cross-boundary people flow and better utilise resources for epidemic prevention work at the control points. The operating hours for cargo clearance remains unchanged.
 
     In view of the development of the epidemic situation, the HKSAR Government has, since January 30, suspended passenger clearance services at 12 land-based and sea-based control points by phases. Currently, passenger clearance services are only available at two land-based control points, i.e. the Shenzhen Bay Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.  Separately, since February 8, all persons entering Hong Kong from the Mainland or having stayed in the Mainland in the past 14 days before arrival in Hong Kong are subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. The 14-day compulsory quarantine arrangement has been extended to persons entering Hong Kong from Macao from March 25 onwards.
 
     The above measures have been effective in reducing the cross-boundary people flow and the risk of spreading the virus. As of yesterday (April 1), the number of arrivals and departures via the Shenzhen Bay Port was 1 392 (of which 85 per cent were Hong Kong residents), representing a 97 per cent decrease compared with the figure prior to the implementation of the above measures. The number of arrivals and departures via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port was 141 (nearly 80 per cent of which were Hong Kong residents), representing a 99 per cent decrease compared with the figures prior to the implementation of the above measures.
 
     All land-based cargo clearance services have been operating as usual. In March, there were an average of 8 197 trips by goods vehicles entering Hong Kong daily (8 186 trips departing Hong Kong), representing a 20 per cent increase compared with an average of 6 838 trips daily (6 815 trips departing Hong Kong) in January.  
 
     The spokesman appeals to members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel to places outside Hong Kong. They are advised to stay home and avoid social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings, and keep an appropriate social distance from other people as far as possible.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, this afternoon (April 2) visited Police Headquarters to understand at first hand the work of the Police in assisting in the enforcement of compulsory quarantine.
 
     Accompanied by the Chief Superintendent, Crime Wing Support Group of the Hong Kong Police Force, Ms Tsang Yim-sheung, Mr Cheung received a briefing on how the Police have made use of the Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System (MIIDSS) to provide effective support and assistance to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health regarding its epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing for confirmed cases. The MIIDSS, a data-processing computer system, is used mainly in work such as large-scale incident case investigation, identification of victims in disasters and epidemic case analysis.
 
     He learned that the Police have been liaising closely with the CHP since the Serious Response Level under the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance came into effect. They have also activated the use of the MIIDSS in view of the latest developments of COVID-19 to provide support to the CHP's work.

     Mr Cheung also met with front-line staff responsible for MIIDSS analysis to learn about their work. "The relevant system is essential in assisting in the tracing of the sources of infection and people who have come into close contact with confirmed cases. I am most grateful to colleagues of the Police Force for their hard work and contribution to the prevention of the spread of the disease," he said.

     He also learned that the Police have spared no effort in tracking down offenders who have violated compulsory quarantine orders. As at 8am today (April 2), 80 persons under home quarantine had been found by the Police to have breached quarantine orders and were sent to quarantine centres.

     "Given the severe epidemic situation, the Government will exercise zero tolerance towards breaches of quarantine orders and stringent enforcement action will be taken. I appeal to the public not to defy the laws," he said.

      He was also briefed on the Police's anti-epidemic work on other fronts, such as combating mask scams and maintaining order in quarantine centres. Since the implementation of 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) last week, various government departments, including the Police and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, have been inspecting regulated premises in various districts to check for non-compliance and remind the public to comply with the requirements of the Regulations through verbal explanation, advice or warning.

     "Police officers have been standing steadfast in their posts and joining hands with other government departments in the fight against the epidemic. I urge members of the public to be self-disciplined, stay home as far as possible and continue to comply with the measures for maintaining social distancing so that Hong Kong can overcome the epidemic before long," he said.
 

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (April 2), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 146 patients (65 male and 81 female, aged 2 to 94) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of COVID-19. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.
 
     There are 673 patients under isolation currently. So far, 154 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 Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Hang Seng Bank, Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
      Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
 

     In response to news reports that many people visited the Business Registration Office of the Inland Revenue Department to apply for a new business registration certificate or to change the nature of business as stated in the business registration certificate to "retail", with a view to applying for the subsidy of the Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund, a Government spokesman today (April 2) made the following clarification again:
 

• The Scheme requires applicants to be conducting substantial and substantive retail business at a physical store. The Scheme does not require the nature of business on the applicants' business registration certificate to be "retail". Therefore, there is no need for retailers to change the nature of business on their business registration certificate to apply for the Scheme.
• In considering whether an applicant genuinely conducts substantial and substantive retail business at a physical store, the Government will examine all the supporting documents submitted by the applicants, such as a recent photograph of the shopfront, a Mandatory Provident Fund contributions statement, a rental receipt and a water or electricity bill, to determine whether an application is eligible in a holistic manner having regard to the circumstances of individual cases.
• All eligible retailers must have conducted substantial and substantive retail business before January 1, 2020. The Government will verify the business registration information submitted by all applicants with the administrative records from the Business Registration Office to ascertain whether the applicants have commenced their businesses before January 1, 2020. If the relevant business registration information was revised recently, the Government will request the applicants to submit additional information and documents, which might lengthen the processing time of such applications.
• The Government also cautions that if any person has purposely provided false or misleading information with an intention of obtaining the subsidy, the case will be referred to law enforcement agencies for investigation and follow-up.