Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (April 26):
 
Reporter: Did you see the recent commentaries from People's Daily and other state media on sticking to "zero COVID" and warning against further easing the border control measures or social distancing? Will you consider further lowering the flight ban, flight hold or easing the social distancing restrictions given there is no rebound of infections following the Easter holiday? And second, you have repeatedly said that Hong Kong's press freedom is not under threat, but yesterday the FCC (Foreign Correspondents' Club) becomes the latest body to have withdrawn from a human rights press award and a former university scholar known for outspokenness in the press has also left the city. Given the uncertainties, how can it be said that Hong Kong's press freedom is still thriving? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: First of all, I have repeatedly said, during the last two years of fighting the epidemic, that the situation has to be continuously reviewed, and the right decisions have to be made trying to strike a balance between the public health considerations, the socio-economic development needs and the people's tolerance and acceptance level. So with that in mind, the Government has to continuously adjust its policy measures, and that's exactly what we have done. It is gratifying to know that after more than three months since the fifth wave of COVID-19 hit us, and hit us hard in Hong Kong, we are on the path to returning or resuming normal activities.
 
     As far as social distancing measures are concerned, we will continue to press ahead with the three stages of relaxation that I announced on March 21, unless there is a sudden surge in COVID-19 infection cases. But that looks quite unlikely based on our observations and the experts' advice because of the high level of hybrid immunity that Hong Kong has achieved. We have effectively and successfully rolled out the first stage and I noticed that many Hong Kong people, many restaurant operators, are very happy with this first-stage relaxation. The second stage is intended to take place about a month from the first phase, maybe the second half of May. This is the plan at the moment.
 
     As far as border controls are concerned, these are still very important measures in order to reduce the importation of infected cases into Hong Kong, especially when many places are already removing the restrictions and social distancing measures, etc. We still have this policy to prevent and reduce a large number of imported cases into Hong Kong. But again, using my analogy of striving to strike the balance between the three factors, we have made certain adjustments and announced them last Friday to take effect, mostly on May 1. For the time being, we don't have any plans to further relax the border controls, the flight ban or the flight suspension measures that we have put in place.
 
     Press freedom is one of the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law. In the last 25 years since reunification, all these human rights and freedoms have been safeguarded and upheld in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. But from time to time, there will be some concerns and worries arising from isolated incidents. I would say that the two examples you have given are those isolated incidents, which might have given people that impression, especially people who tended to misunderstand the constitutional safeguards for press freedom, that is one has to observe the law in exercising freedom. I have no particular comment on those two incidents that you have quoted, because the first incident is an award event, which was organised by a private organisation. If that same organisation decided not to hold that event, a government official cannot comment on it. The answer has to be given by that particular organisation. The second incident is about people leaving Hong Kong whether for good or for a short while. This is in exercise of individual freedom to enter and to exit Hong Kong. Again, it is a right enshrined in the Basic Law.
 
     Thank you.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     â€‹â€‹The Government yesterday (April 25) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" effective from 4pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Tuen Mun (i.e. Block 13, Yuet Wu Villa, Tuen Mun) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing were required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the "restricted area" had undergone testing and the test results were mostly ascertained. All persons in the "restricted area" who have tested positive in the past three months, including positive cases identified either by nucleic acid tests recorded by the Department of Health (DH) or by rapid antigen tests that have been self-declared to the DH, were not required to undergo testing in this compulsory testing exercise.
 
     Moreover, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring persons who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from April 19 to April 25, 2022, even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect, to undergo compulsory testing on or before April 27, 2022.
 
     The Government announced the completion of the compulsory testing exercise at around 8.50am today (April 26) and carried out enforcement action in the "restricted area" afterwards to verify that all people in the "restricted area" had undergone compulsory testing in accordance with the requirements of the relevant declaration and compulsory testing notice. The Government announced that the enforcement operation ended at around 10.50am today.
 
     The Government provided food packs for persons subject to compulsory testing so as to facilitate the meal arrangements of persons subject to compulsory testing. Rapid antigen test kits, as well as anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines supplied by the Central People's Government, were also provided to persons subject to compulsory testing to help them fight against the virus.
 
     The Government thanks persons subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding. With everyone's co-operation and efforts, coupled with the tireless efforts of the testing contractors, residents have been informed about their testing results by SMS notification. After finishing the compulsory testing exercise at around 8.50am today, the Government took enforcement action in the "restricted area" immediately to verify that all people in the "restricted area" had undergone testing according to the requirements of the declaration and the compulsory testing notice. Persons who could present an SMS notification containing a negative testing result as proof of having undergone the compulsory testing could leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer. The enforcement operation was completed at around 10.50am. Test records of 193 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. Twenty-two persons were found not having undergone compulsory testing and compulsory testing orders were issued to them. Taking into account the above situation, the Secretary for Food and Health revoked the "restriction-testing declaration" in accordance with Cap. 599J (see attachment).
 
     The Government reminds the 17 households who have not answered the door to contact the Government for arrangement of testing as soon as possible after reading the notices put up by the Government, in the hope of eliminating the possible risk of further spread of the virus in the community.
 
     The Government thanks all participating government staff and the testing agencies for their hard work. The Government is also grateful to those subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding, and their full co-operation during this period in undergoing testing and waiting for the results at home.
 
     The Government will seriously follow up on the compliance situation of the compulsory testing notices and the "restriction-testing declaration" by persons subject to compulsory testing. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $10,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the "restriction-testing declaration" is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine of level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     A Government spokesman announced today (April 26) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland yesterday (April 25) was sufficient and stable.
          
     According to the latest information, the quantity of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong yesterday (as of midnight) by land and water transportation was over 2 500 tonnes, comparable to the average daily supply from the Mainland on a normal day. The volume of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong sold through the wholesale markets of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Vegetable Marketing Organization was about 836 tonnes. The average wholesale prices of choi sum and pak choi stood at $6.40 and $7.00 per catty respectively yesterday, and largely comparable to the level of a normal day. The supply of eggs to the wholesale market remained steady, with the average daily supply standing at about 3.5 million for the past week, largely comparable to the average daily supply on a normal day last year.

     The total supply of chilled meat from the Mainland yesterday was about 39 tonnes. The supply of live pigs was plentiful.

     The supply of chilled poultry from the Mainland was over 150 000 head yesterday, and over 10 000 live chickens were slaughtered locally. The supply was abundant.

     Regarding the rice supply, in compliance with the requirement by the Government, stockholders of rice have to maintain the reserve stock of rice at a level sufficient for consumption by the local population for 15 days. The trade generally stocks double the required amount, which is sufficient for one month's consumption by Hong Kong citizens. In recent years, the import and consumption of rice in Hong Kong has stood at a steady level of around 320 000 to 330 000 tonnes per year. The import quantity (including reserve stock) as of end-March 2022 was 27 300 tonnes. Suppliers also maintain a reserve for food that can be stored, such as frozen meat, for around three months' stock generally.

     The Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities and major food suppliers to ensure a stable food supply.

     â€‹The AFCD updates and publishes the fresh food supply information daily. Members of the public may visit the AFCD website for updates on daily supplies and wholesale prices of fresh food (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_fresh/agr_fresh.html).

     The Government yesterday (April 25) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" effective from 4pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Tuen Mun (i.e. Block 13, Yuet Wu Villa, Tuen Mun) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the "restricted area" have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained.

     In addition, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday to any person who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from April 19 to April 25, 2022 to undergo compulsory testing on or before April 27, 2022, even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect. The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 8.50am today (April 26) and is now carrying out enforcement actions in the "restricted area" to verify that all people in the "restricted area" have undergone compulsory testing. The Government will further announce the revocation time of the declaration.

     Starting from around 8.50am today, persons in the "restricted area" in Tuen Mun who have undergone testing and are able to present SMS notifications with negative test results as proof of having undergone testing may leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer.

     The Government set up temporary specimen collection stations in the "restricted area" yesterday and requested persons subject to compulsory testing to collect combined nasal and throat swab samples at the stations to undergo a COVID-19 virus test before 9pm yesterday. About 579 people within the area had undergone testing, among which four cases tested positive and five indeterminate cases were found. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will arrange to follow up.

     The Government provided food packs for persons subject to compulsory testing so as to facilitate the meal arrangements of persons subject to compulsory testing. Rapid antigen test kits, as well as anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines supplied by the Central People's Government, were also provided to persons subject to compulsory testing to help them fight against the virus.

     Moreover, the Government also assigned staff to visit around 270 households in the "restricted area", among which 23 households did not answer the door. The Government will take measures to follow up.

     The Government reiterates that enforcement actions will be taken seriously. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a test result as proof of having undergone testing breaches the compulsory testing notice and may be liable to a fine of $10,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the "restriction-testing declaration" is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority closely monitors the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.