Following the escalation of the response level to Emergency under the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance on January 25, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has convened the Steering Committee cum Command Centre for three consecutive days since January 26 to tackle the situation in relation to novel coronavirus infection. Taking into account the development speed and severity of the situation, the Steering Committee cum Command Centre decided at its meeting yesterday (January 28) to further implement seven disease prevention and control measures. The measures include reducing the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as contacts among members of the public, with a view to lowering the chance of the disease being imported into Hong Kong and spreading in the community.

(1) Significantly reducing the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong
 
     In order to reduce the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong, the Mainland authorities have agreed to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's request to suspend the issuance of endorsements in all 49 cities under the Individual Visit Scheme, including the "one trip per week" endorsement, on top of the earlier suspension of all tour groups to Hong Kong. According to the figures for December last year, visitors under the Individual Visit Scheme accounted for about 50 per cent of all Mainland visitors. This measure will significantly reduce the number of Mainland visitors to Hong Kong. 
 
     In addition, the following transport services and border control point services will be reduced or suspended:

(a) On railway services, the services of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Intercity Through Train will be suspended;
(b) On aviation services, Mainland flights will be cut to about half;
(c) On ferry services, all cross-boundary ferry services to and from the China Ferry Terminal and the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal will be suspended;
(d) On land-based cross-boundary transport, cross-boundary coach and shuttle bus services (including the short-haul cross-boundary coach service at Huanggang Port, Yellow Bus and Gold Bus) using the Lok Ma Chau Control Point, the Shenzhen Bay Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port will reduce the service frequency;
(e) The services of the West Kowloon Station, Hung Hom Station, China Ferry Terminal and Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal control points will be suspended. The passenger services in Sha Tau Kok and Man Kam To will also be suspended, but the services for goods will not be affected.

     The above measures will be effective from the early hours of January 30 until further notice.
 
     The above measures will not only reduce the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong, but also allow relevant departments to focus resources on control points which remain in service through redeployment, thereby strengthening the health checks of travellers. In addition, body temperature checks and health declarations for departing travellers have already been implemented in all Mainland ports, including those in Shenzhen. The HKSAR Government will strengthen its joint efforts with the Mainland authorities in disease prevention and control, including putting in place more infrared body temperature checking equipment in border control points in Hong Kong to implement body temperature checks for departing travellers.

(2) Fee charging by the Hospital Authority
 
     The current Hospital Authority fee-charging policy serves a public health strategy, which is to waive the charges for Ineligible Persons (i.e. non-Hong Kong residents) to avoid a situation in which patients suffering from infectious disease evade tests due to their cost and spread the disease in the community. However, as Hong Kong has entered a key stage in its efforts in preventing the disease, in order to not make the fee waiver an incentive for persons infected by novel coronavirus to come to Hong Kong for medical care, the HKSAR Government has requested the Hospital Authority to adjust its fee-charging policy. The Hospital Authority will charge all Ineligible Persons the relevant fees with immediate effect.
 
(3) Reducing the flow and contacts of people in Hong Kong
 
     The HKSAR Government urges Hong Kong people to return from the Mainland as soon as possible. All persons returning from the Mainland are advised to stay home for 14 days upon their return as far as possible. Those who need to go out should wear a surgical mask for 14 days. Hong Kong residents should refrain from travelling to places with the disease.
 
     The HKSAR Government appeals to employers to make flexible work arrangements for employees in accordance with their operational needs. Except for staff providing emergency and essential public services, all other employees of the Government are not required to return to their offices but to work at home after the holidays. The measure will be implemented tentatively until February 2. The Government will review the situation before then.
 
(4) Assisting Hong Kong residents in Hubei
 
     As of January 27, the HKSAR Government had received 107 requests for assistance in relation to the novel coronavirus, involving about 200 Hong Kong people in Hubei Province. As public transport services in the relevant places have been suspended completely, the HKSAR Government is now discussing with the Central Authorities on ways to arrange for Hong Kong people stranded in Hubei to return to Hong Kong in a safe and practical manner.
 
(5) Hubei residents in Hong Kong
 
     Hubei residents have been restricted from entering Hong Kong since January 27. For those Hubei residents who have already entered Hong Kong, they are only allowed to stay in Hong Kong for seven days in general, so it is believed that the number of these people in Hong Kong will gradually decrease. The HKSAR Government is reaching out to hotels through the hotel industry and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to contact travellers from Hubei Province and is also contacting students from Hubei returning to Hong Kong through the tertiary institutions. The Centre for Health Protection will then follow up. The HKSAR Government also appeals to all Hong Kong residents who have been to Hubei Province in the past 14 days to call the Centre's hotline 2125 1122 as soon as possible.
 
(6) Quarantine centre facilities
 
     To tackle the disease, the HKSAR Government will continue to identify suitable places to serve as quarantine centre facilities and other purposes. It, however, will not consider Fai Ming Estate or other unoccupied public housing estates. If there are not enough quarantine centre facilities and there is a wide spread of the disease in the community, the HKSAR Government may need to impose home isolation for the relevant persons.
 
(7) Surgical masks and other supplies
 
     Apart from stocking up on adequate protective equipment (e.g. surgical masks) for government departments and the Hospital Authority in accordance with the HKSAR Government's response plan for infectious diseases, the HKSAR Government is concerned about public demand for surgical masks. As the supply is tight, the HKSAR Government is conducting worldwide procurement in order to ensure adequate supplies for tackling the disease. The HKSAR Government will also make available adequate resources for all the disease prevention and control efforts.
 
     In addition to the above-mentioned measures, the HKSAR Government started to impose restrictions on Hubei residents and those who have visited Hubei Province in the past 14 days from entering Hong Kong since January 27. It also announced some adjustments of services subsidised by the Social Welfare Department and the closure of some leisure and cultural facilities. The HKSAR Government appeals to members of the public to pay attention to the announcements of the relevant departments and appreciates their understanding on the possible inconvenience caused.
 
     Mrs Lam expresses her gratitude to all those involved in the prevention and control of the disease for their hard work, in particular the front-line colleagues in the Centre for Health Protection and the Port Health Division of the Department of Health as well as all hospitals and clinics of the Hospital Authority, and also the staff members providing support services in environmental hygiene and those in the Government Laboratory. She once again appeals to the public to work together in disease prevention and control.

     To tie in with the response level under the "Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance" being raised to Emergency Response Level and avoid people from gathering, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (January 28) announced that the reception and licensing services provided at Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices will be temporarily suspended from tomorrow (January 29) until further notice. Major services affected includes:
 

1. Licence on import, export, re-export and possession of endangered species
2. Relevant licences and permits on pesticides
3. Permits for import/transshipment of animals, poultry and animal products; animal health certificates and Sanitary Certificate For Products of Animal Origin
4. Import licence and Phytosanitary Certificate on plant and plant product
5. Licences on animal trading and breeding, boarding, horse riding premises and animal exhibition
6. Marine Fish Culture Licence
7. Relevant permits of country parks and marine parks

     Public can submit their document at a collection box placed at the lobby by AFCD at G/F of Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices.

     For enquiries, please call the AFCD on 2708 8885.

     To tie in with the HKSAR government's announcement, except for staff of the departments providing emergency services and essential public services, all other employees of the Government are not required to return to the offices but to work at home after the Lunar New Year holidays. There will be adjustment made to Immigration Department's public service from January 29 to February 2 as follows:
 

  
     Immigration Department’s other offices including all Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres, all Immigration Branch Offices, other Registration of Persons Offices, all Birth Registries, all Marriage Registries and the deaths registry in Admiralty will suspend services during the abovementioned periods. As for immigration control points, except for the arrangement made by Government’s separate announcement, will maintain normal operations. And the 1868 hotline will continue to operate as normal to provide practicable assistance for Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong.
      
     The measures will be implemented tentatively until February 2 and will be reviewed according to the situation. Detailed arrangement will be announced in due course. Those who have made an appointment for immigration services may proceed to respective offices afterwards for relevant applications without the need of making a new appointment.
    
     For enquiries, please contact the Immigration Department by calling the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111 or by email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 28) announced the expansion of health declaration arrangements from West Kowloon Station of the Express Rail Link to Hong Kong International Airport tomorrow (January 29). Starting from 9am tomorrow, all inbound travellers by air from the Mainland will be required to complete and submit a health declaration form.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "The preparation for implementing health declaration measures by the Port Health Division (PHD) of the CHP is in full swing. For expanding health declaration measures to incoming travellers from the Mainland of other boundary control points, the PHD is now actively working with related departments and units on the preparation and arrangements."
 
     Separately, the CHP is today continuing its investigations on the eight imported cases of novel coronavirus infection, and is closely monitoring a number of overseas cases and conducting related contact tracing. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
    
     The CHP today received a notification of a confirmed case in Haikou, Hainan Province, involving a female patient. She took the flight KA694 by Cathay Dragon from Hong Kong to Haikou on January 27 and was found having a fever upon arrival at Meilan International Airport. She was subsequently transferred to a hospital there for treatment.
 
     The CHP today also received a notification of two confirmed cases in Taiwan involving two female patients, who claimed to reside in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The two patients took the flight CX408 by Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) from Hong Kong to Taiwan on January 21 before onset of symptoms. Both then sought medical attention in Taiwan. 
 
     Last night, the CHP received a notification of a confirmed case in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province involving a 55-year-old man, who claimed to reside in Sai Kung district in Hong Kong. He visited Wuhan from January 10 to 16, and developed symptoms on January 23. He travelled to Zhanjiang on January 26 and sought medical attention there.
 
     In addition, the health authority of the United States also informed the CHP last night of a confirmed case involving a 54-year-old man. He took the flight KA855 by Cathay Dragon from Wuhan to Hong Kong on January 20, then took the flight CX 880 by CX from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on January 21. Meanwhile, the CHP is still following up on the cases in Huizhou and Japan announced on January 25.

     The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. The Lady MacLehose Holiday Village under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has been converted as quarantine centre and close contacts would be transferred to the village for quarantine. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see annex.
  
     The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the cases, which operates from 8am to 9pm daily to answer public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 832 calls were received.

     A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. Information of the latest notifications received from the Mainland and overseas will be updated to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection_en.pdf) daily at 9am and 6pm to help the public grasp information on the affected countries/areas.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "The CHP will continue to maintain its liaison with the National Health Commission, the World Health Organization and the relevant health authorities, and closely monitor the situation for risk assessment."
 
     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 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 liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• 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.
 
     The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong:

•Do not travel to Hubei Province where community transmission of novel coronavirus is occurring. If it is unavoidable to travel to such places, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong, and self-isolate for 14 days as far as possible. For those returning from other parts of the Mainland, they are advised to stay home for 14 days upon their return as far as possible. Those who need to go out should wear a surgical mask;
•Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible community transmission of novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if experiencing a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease.

The following press release is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA):

     In response to Government's announcement that special work arrangements for government departments will be implemented starting from tomorrow (January 29) until February 2, a spokesman for the HA said the following Housing Department's public services will be affected:
 

• All the Estate Management Offices (EMOs), including shroff offices, of Public Housing Estates will be closed, while cleansing and security services will continue to be provided during the period. In case of urgent or special needs, residents may call the contact telephone number provided at respective EMOs;
   
• All subsidised housing offices will be temporarily closed (including Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Sales Unit and White Form Secondary Market Scheme Unit in Lok Fu Customer Service Centre, Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Sales Unit in Kwun Tong, HOS Secondary Market Scheme Unit in Wong Tai Sin as well as other offices of related services). Flat selection sessions scheduled for 29 to 31 January are suspended.  Moreover, flat selection sessions originally scheduled and informed applicants to take place from 3 to 6 February will need to be rescheduled. We will individually inform all concerned applicants;
   
• All public rental housing application offices including Lok Fu Customer Service Centre Office and Sham Shui Po Housing Information Centre will be closed. All detailed vetting interviews, as well as flat selection of Territory-wide Overcrowding Relief Exercise and Living Space Improvement Transfer Scheme (including flat preview) will also be suspended until further notice;
   
• Clearance Housing office and Redevelopment Sub-section offices (Pak Tin & Mei Tung) as well as Public Housing Resources Management Sub-section will also be closedï¼›
   
• Closing time for tenders received through the Tender Boxes on the G/F of the Housing Authority Headquarters Building at 33 Fat Kwong Street, Homantin and all other HA offices on or before 31 January 2020 will be extended until further noticeï¼›
   
• During the period, the Shroff Office on the Ground Floor of HA Headquarters will provide limited service. Except rental collection, other payment collection services (including premium payment by Subsidised Sale Flats Scheme owners to facilitate them to complete transactions of their flats) will remain in operation;
   
• Chinese New Year promotional activities organised by HA at its shopping centres will be cancelled.

     For enquiries, please call HA hotline 2712 2712.