The following is issued on behalf of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research:
 
     The Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) today (March 18) launched the Incentive Scheme on the Development of Chinese Language Graded Readers for Non-Chinese Speaking Children and is now inviting applications.
 
     The scheme is supported by the Language Fund. Eligible local organisations are invited to develop and publish Chinese-language graded readers specifically designed for non-Chinese speaking children aged 3 to 9 in Hong Kong, with a view to helping them develop an interest in and a habit of reading Chinese books, thereby enhancing their ability to use the Chinese language. The graded readers will be distributed free of charge to kindergartens and primary schools across Hong Kong and other related organisations for non-Chinese speaking students. 
 
     There are considerable challenges facing the growing number of Hong Kong-born non-Chinese speaking children in developing reading capabilities during their acquisition of the Chinese language. While extensive reading is one of the effective ways to master a language, extracurricular reading materials in Chinese catering for the unique needs of local non-Chinese speaking children are yet to be readily available in Hong Kong. The Language Fund will provide sponsorship of $4 million each to a maximum of three eligible organisations for developing and publishing graded readers for non-Chinese speaking children.
 
     Application for the scheme will close at noon on May 12, 2020. Local organisations interested in submitting applications may download the Guide to Applicants from the SCOLAR webpage and attend a briefing session for further details.
 
     Details are available at the SCOLAR webpage: www.scolar.gov.hk.

     Following is the speech (translated from Chinese) by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, in presenting the Government Minute in response to the Annual Report of The Ombudsman 2019 in the Legislative Council today (March 18):

Mr President,

     I am submitting today the Government Minute (GM) responding to the recommendations set out in the Annual Report of The Ombudsman 2019 (the Annual Report).

     This is the final Annual Report prepared by the former Ombudsman Ms Connie Lau at the end of her five-year tenure. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Lau once again for her sterling contribution to improving public administration. Her efforts in promoting mediation as an alternative way for government departments to handle complaints from members of the public has indeed brought about significant changes. Through stepping up the Office of The Ombudsman (the Office)'s efforts in conducting direct investigations, Ms Lau had also examined various policies of community concern from a wider perspective, fully demonstrating the function of The Ombudsman as an independent watchdog of public administration. Looking to the future, the Government will continue to fully support the work of the incumbent Ombudsman Ms Winnie Chiu and her Office, and strive to implement The Ombudsman's recommendations for bringing about sustained improvements in public services and related policies.

     In the Annual Report, The Ombudsman summed up 12 direct investigation and 205 full investigation cases which gave rise to a total of 253 recommendations. The GM responds to the 12 direct investigation and 105 full investigation cases where recommendations were made by The Ombudsman. Government departments and relevant public bodies accepted most of the recommendations, and relevant follow-up actions have been or are being taken. As for individual recommendations that could not be accepted, relevant departments have given an account or provided supplementary information to The Ombudsman for consideration, and explained their difficulties or responded in detail in the GM.

     Mr President, the Office handled nearly 5 000 complaints in 2018-19. Whether the complaint cases were pursued by inquiry, full investigation or mediation, government departments and public bodies fully co-operated with the Office and handled the cases in an earnest manner. The Ombudsman has been using its unique statutory powers of investigation to help government departments and public bodies identify problems that triggered complaints, probe into the roots of these problems and recommend comprehensive systemic solutions or more effective measures to promote good public administration, thereby enhancing their operational efficiency and responsiveness to public needs. The positive interactions between the Office and government departments, especially in the direct investigation cases, have brought about active cross-departmental co-ordination and co-operation with very encouraging results.

     The direct investigation into the Government's regulation of proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) is a case in point. The Ombudsman examined in depth the loopholes in the definition of pCm under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), the progress of migration from transitional registration of pCm to formal registration and other related matters. The Government has accepted the 12 recommendations made by The Ombudsman and acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the regulation of pCm. I am pleased to point out that the Government has already initiated the legislative amendment exercise relating to the definition of pCm under the Ordinance, and will put forward the amendment proposals to the Panel on Health Services of the Legislative Council in due course. In addition, the Government has established a $500 million Chinese Medicine Development Fund (CMDF) to provide financial support for the Chinese medicines sector to promote the development of Chinese medicine with a view to, among other things, assisting local Chinese medicine traders in the registration of pCm. The CMDF has rolled out various subsidy programmes progressively since mid-2019 to provide technical support to the trade and further expedite the pCm registration process. The Government will continue its effort to improve the regulatory mechanism of Chinese medicines in Hong Kong, and to provide drug safety messages to the public, industry and other stakeholders via different channels.

     On the other hand, in The Ombudsman's direct investigation on government departments' handling of the problem of air-conditioner dripping, the relevant procedures and guidelines of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department were looked into. To better resolve the problem of air-conditioner dripping, The Ombudsman also explored tasking the Buildings Department with the duty to introduce measures which prompted and encouraged the inclusion of installation of communal drainage pipes for disposing condensate from air-conditioners in the comprehensive maintenance programmes of buildings. With the concerted efforts of the two departments, all recommendations set forth in the direct investigation report have been implemented. This is certainly very good news for those residents who have long been troubled by such issues.

     Concerning access to information, the number of requests for information made to government departments has continued to rise. In 2018-19, departments received a record high of over 7 700 requests for information made by members of the public under the Code on Access to Information (the Code), representing an increase of over 20 per cent as compared to 2017-18. In the light of such a large volume of requests, government departments have worked hard to handle each request for information in accordance with the Code. 94 per cent of the cases were provided with all the information requested, and another 3 per cent were provided with part of the information requested. While the number of requests for information has consistently increased by a huge margin, the Office received 87 complaints in 2018-19 regarding access to information, which has fallen from 93 in 2017-18.

     We appreciate the public expectation for the Government to remain open and accountable. We also note the Office has indicated that there was still reluctance among public organisations in releasing information, or a lack of thorough understanding of the spirit and principles of the Code. To improve staff awareness and understanding of the Code, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will continue to provide relevant departments and organisations with briefings on improperly handled cases and content of the Code, including a training video for reference by staff involved in regular handling of Code requests. A number of departments have also accepted The Ombudsman's recommendations to provide complainants with the existing relevant information requested in accordance with the Code, and to review and strengthen staff training on the application of the Code.

     In view of the concern raised by the Office that some departments were bound by the agreements with third parties not to disclose certain information, departments would consider, depending on the actual circumstances, whether it is appropriate to revise the relevant terms of the agreements. For example, the Lands Department has incorporated a clause in its new tenancy agreement allowing the Government to disclose the renewal rental without the need to seek the tenant's consent. The Ombudsman has also pointed out that some bureaux/departments have not kept the statistics requested by the public. The Government has issued clear guidelines requiring bureaux/departments to create and collect sufficient but not excessive records to document accurately and adequately government functions, policies, procedures, decisions and transactions. The Government will continue to remind bureaux/departments of this guideline.

     The Government has an open mind on improving the current access to information regime and has implemented some of the Office's recommendations made in 2014, including enhancing publicity on the Code and offering more related information to the public. As regards the recommendation of introducing a law on access to information, the Office took note of the fact that the Law Reform Commission (LRC) Access to Information Sub-committee has published its consultation paper in December 2018 and conducted a three-month public consultation. The Sub-committee is considering the views collected from the public consultation and will finalise its reform proposals. After considering the draft report submitted by the Sub-committee, the LRC will publish its final report. The Government will carefully examine recommendations of the final report from the LRC on how to improve the current access to information regime.

     Mr President, The Ombudsman had expressed her concern about the effectiveness of the Government's monitoring of outsourced work or services performed by its contractors. As the provider of public services, the Government affirms its departments' responsibility in closely monitoring and supervising their contractors and subvented organisations, for whose performance they are accountable to the general public. To this end, government departments have taken steps to change their procurement arrangements and enhance their monitoring role. When handling complaints about provision of public services by its contractors, relevant departments will strive for a more objective and comprehensive understanding of the actual circumstances of the complaints concerned to facilitate more direct and appropriate follow-up actions. The Government also pays close attention to the training and supervision provided by the contractors and subvented bodies for their staff, so as to ensure that the quality of their services meet the requirements of the contracts and the public's expectations.

     Last but not least, Mr President, I would like to express my gratitude to The Ombudsman and her professional team for their independence and impartiality in handling complaints from members of the public, providing them with a trusted complaint channel and successfully boosted their confidence in public administration. In addressing The Ombudsman's recommendations, I have been encouraging my colleagues to assume the role of a collaborator in upholding professionalism, humbly listening and committing to ensure the effective implementation of remedial measures. Together, we shall enhance the standard of public administration in Hong Kong.

     Thank you, Mr President.

     Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, in the Legislative Council today (March 18):
 
Question:
 
　　It has been reported that the Police used shock bombs and flash bangs when handling public events in November last year. Regarding the use of such weapons by the Police, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the details of the cases involving the use of the aforesaid weapons by police officers in public events since June last year, including (i) the numbers of police officers concerned, (ii) the quantities of the weapons used, and (iii) the purposes of using the weapons, and set out the information by date;
 
(2) whether it has investigated if the use of the aforesaid weapons by the police officers referred to in (1) on the dates concerned was in compliance with the relevant guidelines; if it has investigated and the outcome is in the affirmative, of the details of the guidelines; if the investigation outcome is in the negative, whether the Police will institute disciplinary proceedings against the police officers concerned;
 
(3) of the details of the guidelines on the safe use of such weapons provided by the manufacturers, including but not limited to (i) the shortest safe distances from the targeted people to be maintained, and (ii) the limits on the frequencies of the continuous use;
 
(4) of the level of force that the Police has classified the aforesaid weapons to be;
 
(5) of the respective maximum levels of brightness and volume of sound generated by the aforesaid weapons in continuous use and in single-time use;
 
(6) of the respective harms to the human body at the worst in the short term and long term that may be caused by the use of the aforesaid weapons under the circumstances that the relevant safety guidelines are (i) complied with and (ii) not complied with;
 
(7) whether the aforesaid weapons are suitable for use in crowd management; whether it knows the law enforcement agencies outside Hong Kong that have used such weapons for that purpose;
 
(8) whether the Police have drawn up guidelines to ensure that the use of the aforesaid weapons will not cause crowd panic and then lead to stampede incidents; if so, of the details of the guidelines; and
 
(9) of the number of occasions on which the aforesaid weapons have been used by the Police since the reunification of Hong Kong, and the types of crimes allegedly committed by the suspects against whom such weapons were used?
 
Reply:

President,

     The reply to the enquiries raised is as follows:

     Hong Kong citizens enjoy the freedom of and rights to assembly and procession. However, when expressing their demands, they should abide by the Hong Kong law and do so in a peaceful and lawful manner. According to section 10 of the Police Force Ordinance (Cap 232), it is the statutory duty of the Police to maintain public safety and public order. Since June 9 last year, more than 1 400 protests, processions and public meetings have been staged in Hong Kong, many of which eventually turned into illegal acts of serious violence. To respond to and curb violent acts, where circumstances require, the Police have to use the necessary force to control the scene, with a view to restoring public safety and public order. We would like to stress that if the expression of views was conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner, there would be no need for the Police to use any force.
 
     On November 18, 2019, some netizens called on a large number of people online to block roads in various districts, claiming that it was a tactic of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao" (i.e. relieving a besieged ally by attacking the home base of the besiegers). The aim was to distract the Police so that the rioters who were staying at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University could escape. Up till the small hours of November 19, thousands of rioters wreaked havoc and blocked roads in the Yau Ma Tei and Jordan areas, including building barricades with sundries, attacking police officers with bricks and sundries and hurling nearly 1 000 petrol bombs in total, posing serious threats to the personal safety and lives of people and law enforcement officers at the scene. The scene was not just a matter of ordinary crowd management, but a matter of serious violence and threats to personal safety and public safety.
 
     Throughout the operation, the Police repeatedly warned rioters to stop their illegal acts and leave the scene. Having issued numerous warnings in vain, in order to protect personal safety and restore public safety, the Police had to conduct dispersal and arrest operations, arresting a total of 213 persons. While the Police were trying to control these arrested persons, over 1 000 people nearby interfered with and attacked the Police in different ways, including hurling sundries and petrol bombs at police officers and even attempting to snatch suspects. In view of these serious violence and threats to personal safety and public safety at the scene, police officers had to use different levels and the necessary force when discharging their duties, having assessed the actual circumstances at the material time with their professional judgement. The weapons used by the Police were also subject to the assessment and professional judgement based on the actual circumstances at the scene.
 
     The Police have stringent guidelines on the use of force. Police officers may use appropriate force only when it is necessary. Warnings should be given prior to the use of force as far as circumstances permit, while the persons being warned should be given every opportunity whenever practicable to obey police orders. Once the purpose of using force is achieved, the Police will cease to use force. All police officers must be accountable for their use of force, and commanders will monitor them at the scene to ensure they use force in a lawful manner. The use of weapon mentioned in the question complied with the guidelines of the Police.
 
     Police officers have to go through professional training on the use of different equipment and weapons. In addition to the performance and the use of the equipment and weapons, the professional training also includes how to make professional assessment and tactical interaction etc. As the specifications, features and use of specific equipment and weapons by the Police, particularly in facing serious violent situations, involved operational details and the Police's tactical deployments, it is not appropriate for disclosure or else it may undermine their operational efficacy.

     Following is a question by the Hon Lam Cheuk-ting and a reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, in the Legislative Council today (March 18):
 
Question:
 
     Due to the rampant novel coronavirus epidemic, face masks are in acute shortage. As indicated by the Chief Executive, the Government has, apart from conducting an open tender exercise, adopted a multi-pronged approach to procure face masks worldwide. It has contacted more than 400 suppliers from nearly 20 countries, but the procurement efforts have not been very successful. In view of this, government personnel must meet several criteria (including being sick, being frontline officers or going to crowded places) before they are allowed to wear face masks, with a view to economising on the use of face masks. Those who do not meet the criteria are not allowed to wear face masks, and they are required to take the face masks off even if they are wearing one. Some members of the public have pointed out that the authorities have serious inadequacies in the reserve and supplies of anti-epidemic items such as face masks, causing immense anxiety and panic purchases of such items among members of the public. Some of them even queued up overnight to buy face masks. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the quantities of anti-epidemic items in the Government's stock, the number of months that such quantities may meet the consumption by public officers, healthcare personnel and members of the public, as well as the changes of such quantities, on the day of January 23 this year when the Mainland authorities announced the lockdown of the Wuhan City and on each day thereafter;
 
(2) whether it has established a mechanism for the reserve of anti-epidemic items such as face masks; if so, of the details of the mechanism, including the reserve quantity of each type of such items, and the number of months of consumption by public officers, healthcare personnel and members of the public based on which such quantities have been determined; if it has not, of the reasons for that and whether it will establish such mechanism; and
 
(3) of a breakdown, by name of country, of the number of suppliers which the Government has contacted, the number of face masks ordered and the number of face masks already delivered to Hong Kong (set out in a table); whether it has reviewed the reasons why the Government's efforts of procuring face masks worldwide have not been very successful; if so, of the review outcome and the improvement measures, including whether it will enter into regular procurement agreements with suppliers of anti- epidemic items so as to ensure stable supplies of such items?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     After consulting the Food and Health Bureau (FHB), the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) and the Government Logistics Department (GLD), our reply to the three parts of the Hon Lam Cheuk-ting's question is as follows:
 
(1) and (2) I wish to make clear at the outset that the GLD is responsible for the procurement of masks for use by government departments to maintain services to the public. The Hospital Authority (HA) is not a government department and procures masks on their own. The Government and the HA have maintained a stockpile of masks to meet contingency needs. However, generally speaking, the stock will not be directly supplied to the public.
 
     As far as masks procured by the GLD are concerned, the GLD maintained a regular stock of 10 million masks by virtue of the Government's preparedness and response plans for infectious diseases. As the average monthly demand for masks by government departments was normally about 1.1 million before the outbreak, the stock should have been sufficient to support the operational needs of government departments for more than half a year.
 
     In light of the development concerning the disease, the amount of masks used by government departments has multiplied. Following the GLD's stepping up of procurement efforts, the current stock of masks is sufficient for the operational needs by various government departments for about more than two months, based on the broad estimates. In order to rationalise the use of masks within the Government, internal guidelines have been issued to Heads of Departments, with a view to according priority to front-line staff participating in quarantine-related work, execution of quarantine orders (including medical and port health staff of the Department of Health) and maintenance of essential public services. The Government also requires departments to keep their use of masks distributed by the Government to a minimum. Government departments will provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) to their staff based on actual operational needs.
 
     As for the HA, before the outbreak of the disease, their target level of PPE stockpile was three months of usage. In light of the development concerning the disease, the HA has seen a sharp increase in the amount of PPE used. As at March 13, 2020, the stock of surgical masks at the HA is sufficient for use of about two months, while that of N95 respirators is sufficient for about one month. The HA has already expedited procurement procedures to replenish the PPE. Public hospitals will also step up the control of stock and remind healthcare staff on the appropriate use of PPE.
 
     In general, masks procured and stored by the Government are not supplied to the public. Nevertheless, as we see a supply crunch for masks, the Government considers it necessary to dedicate extra care to some groups in the society for their need on masks. For example, the Government announced at an earlier juncture that the 700 000 additional masks produced by the Correctional Services Department would be set aside for distribution to cleansing workers engaged by government contractors, in order to relieve the imminent needs; the Government would also provide 1 million masks through the Social Welfare Department to residential care homes for elderly and residential homes for persons with disabilities, so as to support their continuous operation. In addition, the Government has passed all of the masks donated by private and charitable bodies to non-governmental organisations, for their distribution to the elderly and other underprivileged communities who are in need. This was done as an endeavour to share relatively scarce resources with the community so we can fight the disease together. The Government has to date given out more than 3 million masks. As announced by the Chief Executive on March 17, considering that many Hong Kong students in the United Kingdom and the United States of America are encountering difficulties in purchasing masks, the Government has arranged 67 000 masks to be distributed through airlines to passengers of Hong Kong residents who are returning to Hong Kong from the two countries.
 
(3) Since early January, the GLD has been adopting a multi-pronged approach to source PPE globally through all possible means and channels. In view of emergency needs, the GLD adopts direct procurement, i.e. through directly approaching suppliers to place purchase orders and bypassing normal tendering procedures. In parallel, the GLD sources the items on the referral of our overseas Economic and Trade Offices, Invest Hong Kong and individuals, with a view to procuring PPE in the greatest quantities within the shortest possible time.
 
     The GLD has contacted more than 600 suppliers from all over the world. So far, over 10 million of the masks ordered have been delivered to the GLD. Owing to the worldwide shortage and upsurge in demand for masks, there have been cases in which our orders for masks were snapped up by other buyers before delivery and export, notwithstanding our partial or full payment. We have also encountered cases in which the relevant jurisdictions imposed sudden export controls, leading to suppliers cancelling the transactions and non-delivery of the masks. As such, the procurement of masks remains a great challenge.
 
     In an endeavour to increase the supply of masks on the market, the Government has been following up on proposals to increase local production. The Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund (the Fund) will provide subsidies to facilitate the establishment of surgical mask production lines in Hong Kong, so as to address the shortage situation and build up reserve stock. We have also earmarked $800 million under the Fund to enable technology applications in relation to mask reusability to cater for the needs of the community.
 
     To conclude, our current top priority is to maximise procurement of masks and other PPE as needed for disease prevention. The GLD will enhance the planning and methods used in procurement, and will consider the use of standing procurement agreements for PPE so as to meet the Government's needs in disease prevention.
 
     Thank you, President.

     Following is a question by the Hon Kwong Chun-yu and a reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, in the Legislative Council today (March 18):
 
Question:
 
     The World Health Organization has described the outbreak of novel coronavirus as a pandemic in view of the outbreak having spread to more than 110 countries and territories around the world. Regarding the tackling of the epidemic, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has grasped the whereabouts of the people who came from Hubei Province and are now staying in Hong Kong; if so, of their number and, among them, the respective numbers of those who are receiving treatment in hospitals and those who have been admitted to quarantine centres; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(2) of the total number of face masks in the Government's stock as at the 3rd of this month; the new measures in place to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of compliant face masks for use by healthcare personnel and that members of the public can buy face masks at reasonable prices; and
 
(3) as a medical team of the University of Hong Kong has projected that the local epidemic will reach its peak in May this year, whether the existing manpower in medical, nursing and various allied health grades as well as the current number of isolation beds are sufficient to tackle the epidemic, and whether the Government has made adequate preparations for tackling the epidemic in the light of the aforesaid projection or its own projection; if not, of the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), the Government has been closely monitoring the development of the outbreak situation.  Guided by the three key principles of "responding promptly", "staying alert to the situation" and "working in an open and transparent manner", we have continued to adopt the "containment" strategy based on science and experts’ advice and secured every line of defence with a view to achieving "early identification, early isolation and early treatment of the infected".  According to the Government's prevention and control strategies, we introduced a host of specific and practicable measures in the areas of health surveillance, compulsory quarantine, isolation treatment, health declaration, exit screening, reducing people flow between Hong Kong and the Mainland, enhancing "social distancing" and supporting frontline healthcare staff, etc.
      
     In consultation with the Security Bureau, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and Hospital Authority (HA), my reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Kwong Chun-yu is as follows:
 
(1) In view of the latest situation of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government has taken a number of measures proactively since late January this year to further reduce the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong.  Having considered that the outbreak mainly took place in Hubei Province early on and was getting more severe, the Government announced on January 26 that, with effect from January 27, except for Hong Kong residents, all residents of Hubei Province and persons who had visited Hubei Province in the past 14 days would not be permitted to enter Hong Kong until further notice.
 
     After the announcement of the above measure, to find out the whereabouts of persons who were from Hubei Province or had visited Hubei Province in the past 14 days and may still be in Hong Kong at that time, the Government announced on January 29 that it would reach out to hotels through the hotel industry and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to contact travellers from Hubei Province and also contact students returning to Hong Kong from Hubei Province through tertiary institutions.  On the same day, the Immigration Department (ImmD) started to inspect all hotels and guesthouses in Hong Kong, with a view to locating travellers from Hubei who were still in Hong Kong for registering their contact information and providing them with health advice.  Furthermore, starting from January 31, the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, with the assistance of ImmD, arranged for travellers from Hubei who were still in Hong Kong to move into quarantine centres, or arrange those who displayed no symptoms to leave Hong Kong as soon as possible.
      
     The ImmD had completed inspections of 1 837 hotels and guesthouses by February 7.  A total of 55 travellers from Hubei were identified during the inspection.  At the time, 31 of them left Hong Kong on their own, 10 left Hong Kong with the assistance of the HKSAR Government, and 4 moved into the quarantine centre at Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village (all have now completed quarantine).  For the remaining 10 people, no quarantine was required as they had departed Hubei for more than 14 days, and all of them had thereafter left Hong Kong on their own.
      
     Furthermore, as at March 16, among the 157 patients confirmed with the disease, 12 had visited Wuhan or are Wuhan residents. Out of them, 10 have recovered and have been discharged, one passed away and one is still hospitalised for isolation treatment.
      
(2) As regards the stock of masks, according to the information from the Government Logistics Department (GLD), since early January, the Government has been adopting a multi-pronged approach to procure masks directly through different channels and means, without undergoing any tendering procedures, with a view to securing the resources in the shortest time possible to meet the operational needs of the Government.  As long as the items provided by the manufacturers and suppliers meet the required specifications and are sold according to prevailing market prices, GLD will make an immediate purchase and there is no question of "the lowest bid wins".  The Government has contacted 600 suppliers from more than 30 countries or regions, reaching as far as Egypt, Turkey, Mexico, South America, etc.  The Overseas Economic and Trade Offices and individuals have also rendered proactive support.
 
     Among the masks ordered, more than 10 million have been delivered to Hong Kong.  We hope that the remaining will arrive in batches as scheduled.  As the supply of masks remain very tight around the globe and with increasing demand, global sourcing is very difficult.  Even the Government has placed orders, the orders could be cancelled due to export controls suddenly imposed by some countries or regions.  That said, the Government will continue to work hard on sourcing masks globally.
      
     The Government expects that the supply of masks will remain tight for some time in the near future.  Currently, the stock of masks kept by GLD can last for about two months for meeting the needs of government departments.  The Government will prioritise the distribution of masks in the Government's stockpile following a risk-based approach, with priority accorded to healthcare workers to meet their needs.  In view of the latest situation of the COVID-19 outbreak, supply of GLD's masks will be prioritised for staff participating in quarantine-related work and execution of quarantine orders, including medical and port health staff of the Department of Health and frontline staff who maintain provision of essential public services.
      
     Furthermore, in view that the Government's outsourced cleansing service contractors have encountered difficulties in procuring masks, to protect the health of cleansing workers and maintain environmental hygiene, the Government will reserve the 700 000 additional masks produced by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) for distribution to the frontline cleansing workers employed by the Government's outsourced service contractors to meet their imminent needs.  The relevant government departments have accorded priority to distributing masks to the cleansing workers responsible for cleaning public toilets, public markets, refuse collection points, streets and public housing estates since February 17.
      
     In addition, the Government has provided one million masks for the staff of subvented, contract, self-financing and private residential service units, including residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities licensed by Social Welfare Department, so as to assist them to continue to provide services.  The Government has also received donations of masks from some groups and individuals, and will distribute the items to needy bodies and disadvantaged groups in society according to the wishes of the donors.
      
     At the same time, the Government has taken steps to follow up on the recommendation to increase local production.  Under the Anti-epidemic Fund, the Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme will provide financial assistance to facilitate the establishment of mask production lines in Hong Kong, so as to address the shortage situation and build up reserve stock.  The CSD has also increased its mask production volume to meet the needs of government departments.  As for retail, the Government has been in liaison with suppliers and retailers at all levels.  It is hoped that when stock is available, it can be handled without causing too much inconvenience to members of the public.
      
(3) As regards the work of public hospitals in prevention and control, HA has put in place an established mechanism to deploy manpower of frontline staff to meet operational needs.  In view of the latest situation of the COVID-19 outbreak, HA announced on February 15 to adjust non-emergency and non-essential medical services significantly in the four weeks starting from February 17, so as to focus manpower and resources such as personal protective equipment on providing care for the most critical patients and responding to the outbreak.  Specific measures include:
 
     (1) except for emergency and essential treatment, non-emergency services such as elective surgeries will be postponed;
     (2) specialist outpatient clinics will contact patients with stable conditions to reschedule their appointments and arrange drug refills for them according to their conditions; and
     (3) except for emergency and essential examinations, non-emergency examinations such as routine endoscopy will be rescheduled.
 
     Furthermore, as at noon of March 17, 954 isolations beds were being used by HA with occupancy of around 40 per cent.  Each HA cluster will continue to closely monitor the situation and allocate resources to mobilise the other isolation beds when required.
      
     Thank you, Mr President.