The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, this afternoon (March 3) visited the monitoring centre of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) to observe the operation of the centre and how innovation and technology could help verify people undergoing compulsory quarantine were staying at their dwelling places.
 
     Accompanied by the Deputy Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Tony Wong, Mr Cheung received a briefing from staff of the centre on how the application of location-sharing function of communication software and video calls could verify people undergoing quarantine were staying at their dwelling places. 
 
     Mr Wong also explained to Mr Cheung the components and function of electronic wristbands. The Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre developed and produced the electronic wristbands, with an aim to facilitate the Government's efforts to combat the epidemic and ensure that people subject to compulsory home quarantine will not leave their dwelling places without authorisation. Each electronic wristband pairs with a smartphone and cannot be taken off casually. If the electronic wristband is broken or if the smartphone is disconnected or taken away from the dwelling place, an alert will be sent to the Department of Health and Police for follow-up action immediately. 
 
     Mr Cheung expressed gratitude to all staff, including retired civil servants participating in voluntary work, in the centre for standing fast at their posts and joining hands with all quarters of society in the fight against the epidemic, making significant contribution to Hong Kong people's health and well-being.
 
     To make better use of technology in the surveillance operation, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government requires all passengers who are subject to compulsory quarantine to activate real time location-sharing function of their mobile phones upon arrival at boundary control points. Otherwise, they will be required to put on electronic wristbands on the spot so that OGCIO will be able to monitor if they are staying at their dwelling places during the quarantine period.
 
     Mr Cheung stressed that all Government departments were joining hands in the fight against the epidemic. He expressed confidence that Hong Kong would win this battle on the strength of the concerted efforts of Government and the community at large.

              

     A Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation led by the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Andy Chan, will depart for Geneva, Switzerland on March 4 to, as part of the China delegation, attend the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote understanding of the human rights situation in Hong Kong. Delegates include representatives from the Security Bureau, the Department of Justice, the Hong Kong Police Force and other officials from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau.
 
     The HKSAR Government delegates will leave Geneva on the morning of March 7 (Geneva time) and arrive in Hong Kong the following day.

     The Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) administered by the Food and Health Bureau has extended the closing deadline of the 2019 Open Call for Investigator-initiated Projects from March 31, 2020, to 6pm Hong Kong time on September 30, 2020.

     The Research Council has decided to extend the closing deadline for six months to provide sufficient time for applicants and their administering institutions to prepare for the submissions which may be affected by the development of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The review process will be expedited as far as practicable, with the aim of announcing the results in March 2021.

     The HMRF invited applications for investigator-initiated research projects and health promotion projects on December 19, 2019. Details of the thematic priorities and application-related materials can be downloaded from https://rfs.fhb.gov.hk. Enquiries can be made by email to rfs@fhb.gov.hk.

     Hongkong Post announced today (March 3) that, as advised by the postal administration of Korea, airmail services (including Speedpost) to Hong Kong which was suspended earlier have been resumed. However, due to the reduction of flights, the services are still subject to delay until further notice.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning March 9: