Tag Archives: China

     The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) today (March 24) completed the “restriction-testing declaration” (RTD) operation in the specified “restricted area” in Wong Tai Sin. As part of the Government’s anti-epidemic team, the LWB not only assumes the responsibility of caring for the elderly, supporting the disadvantaged and protecting the labour force during the epidemic together with its departments, but also goes to the front line to fight the epidemic by deploying extensive manpower in executing RTD operations.

     The Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Alice Lau, participated in the LWB’s RTD operations in Chai Wan earlier and Wong Tai Sin last night (March 23). Apart from taking a closer look at residents’ specimen collection procedures in batches and colleagues’ on-site data compilation, she also joined colleagues in delivering food packs, rapid test kits and anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines donated by the Central People’s Government to residents subject to compulsory testing.

     “Our colleagues have to race against time in planning and executing RTDs in every operation as well as team up with testing contractors for overnight work so that it can be completed as early as possible, thus minimising the impact on residents. We are grateful for their professionalism and pursuit of excellence despite the heavy rain yesterday. We also thank residents for their understanding and co-operation during the operations so they could be completed quickly and smoothly,” Ms Lau said.

     Including the operation which concluded this afternoon, the RTD team comprising the LWB, the Social Welfare Department, the Labour Department, the Working Family Allowance Office and the Office of the Continuing Education Fund has mounted seven RTD operations in various districts in the last fortnight. Depending on the number of persons subject to compulsory testing, about 160 to 200 officers from different grades and ranks worked together in each operation, with a view to pinning down infections in the community for follow-up to achieve the objective of reducing infections.

        

     The Government yesterday (March 23) 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 Tin Shui Wai (i.e. Yau Ning House, Tin Yau Court, Tin Shui Wai) 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.
 
     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 March 10 to March 23, 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 March 25, 2022.
 
     The Government announced the completion of the compulsory testing exercise at around noon today (March 24) 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 3pm 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 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 noon 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 3pm. Test records of around 600 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. 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 67 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 liable to a fixed penalty of $10,000. The person will 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 order or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.  read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

     The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (March 24) its decision to temporarily waive, for a period of three months from March 25, 2022, to June 24, 2022, the requirement relating to documentary programmes, current affairs programmes, and arts and culture programmes broadcast by domestic free television programme service (free TV) licensees being wholly of Hong Kong origin (the “wholly of Hong Kong origin” requirement) (see Note 1), and the first-run requirement relating to positive programmes (the “first-run” requirement) (see Note 2). Notwithstanding the waiver, the broadcasting hours of the respective positive programmes to be provided by a licensee will remain unchanged and the frequency of repeated programmes for fulfilling the programme requirements will be limited to not more than once in any week.
      
     On March 9, 2022, the CA received an application from Television Broadcasts Limited for waiving the “wholly of Hong Kong origin” and “first-run’ requirements relating to positive programmes on the grounds of the disruptions to TV programme production caused by the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In view of the latest pandemic situation and the operational difficulties faced by free TV licensees, the CA decided to approve the application and extend the waiver to the other two free TV licensees (viz. HK Television Entertainment Company Limited and Fantastic Television Limited).
 
Note 1: Pursuant to the relevant licence conditions of the free TV licences, unless otherwise approved by the CA, a licensee is required to broadcast a minimum number of hours of documentary programmes, current affairs programmes, and arts and culture programmes each week which are to be wholly of Hong Kong origin.
 
Note 2: Pursuant to the relevant licence conditions of the free TV licences, a licensee is required to broadcast a minimum number of hours of positive programmes (viz. documentary programmes, current affairs programmes, programmes for children, young persons and senior citizens as well as arts and culture programmes) daily/weekly. All of the above programme requirements shall be fulfilled by first-run programmes unless otherwise approved by the CA. read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, held a press conference on anti-epidemic measures this morning (March 24). Also joining were the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Tony Ko. Following is the transcript of remarks of the press conference:
 
Reporter: Mrs Lam, Singapore’s Prime Minister just announced a raft of new measures to ease pandemic curbs, including lifting most restrictions on fully vaccinated visitors and removing the mask mandate outdoors. So when will Hong Kong do the same? And has Hong Kong permanently lost its crown as Asia’s global hub to Singapore? And also you said yesterday that Hong Kong’s top priority is still reopening its border with Mainland China, while earlier you talked about the importance of Hong Kong as an international financial centre. So can you clarify, is it necessary for Hong Kong to first open quarantine-free travel with Mainland China before opening quarantine-free travel with the rest of the world? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: First of all, let me make it very clear that Hong Kong remains a very attractive global financial centre, a very attractive global and regional aviation hub, and also a very good place to live and work. I remain very confident that after the epidemic, Hong Kong will be able to welcome a lot of talents to come, whether in the financial sector or more recently in the technology sector, as you have heard me referring to some of the successes we have in recruiting top talents to come to Hong Kong to work in our universities on science and technology. We are going through a very difficult period with the fifth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, but with the support of the Central Government and all the assistance rendered to us in the last two months or so, and the co-operation of the people of Hong Kong, I think we will rise to the challenge.
 
     As I also said on many occasions, the policies and measures to be adopted by each government in combating the COVID-19 epidemic differ. I don’t think there is a one size that fits all. I also don’t believe that there are only two pathways. That’s why I said that perhaps it’s not very meaningful to ask us to choose whether you are going for route A or route B. We will have to adjust and do whatever is in the best interest of Hong Kong. In terms of opening the border or resumption of travel, the best interest of Hong Kong is to do both – that we maintain our connectivity with the rest of the world through the aviation side, and at the same time we continue to perform the role of Hong Kong being the basis for businesses and individuals to access the Mainland market. And knowing the very prudent measures adopted by the Mainland and also the aspirations of the Hong Kong people, not only for the business purpose but also for family, personal and social purposes, towards the end of last year we did work very hard in trying to resume quarantine-free travel with the Mainland first, and I had told you many times that we were at a very advanced stage of announcing such a scheme. So I remain very optimistic that once this wave subsides, we will pick up on the earlier discussions and at the same time we will be able to open up to the rest of the world. My announcement three days ago to lift the place-specific flight suspension was very much welcomed by the aviation sector and by people who are affected by the flight ban. Wherever we could we will react in a very pragmatic manner to preserve what is very important to Hong Kong, and that is her international connectivity and accessibility into the Mainland. Thank you.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

  

     The Government yesterday (March 23) 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 4.30pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in Wong Tai Sin (i.e. Kwai Tung House, Tung Tau (II) Estate, Wong Tai Sin, excluding the social service unit on G/F) 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 (RAT) that have been self-declared to the DH, will not be required to undergo testing in this compulsory testing exercise.
 
     Moreover, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring persons other than those specified above who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from March 10 to March 23, 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 March 25, 2022. The Government announced the completion of the compulsory testing exercise at around 11.30am today (March 24) 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 1.30pm today.
 
     The Government delivered food packs to persons subject to compulsory testing to facilitate their meal arrangements. Anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines supplied by the Central People’s Government and rapid test kits were also provided to persons subject to compulsory testing to help them fight against the virus.
 
     The Labour and Welfare Bureau has also set up hotlines for residents restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance.
 
     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 11.30am 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 or wore a wristband 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 1.30pm. Test records of 304 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. 22 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 70 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 liable to a fixed penalty of $10,000. The person will 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 order or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. read more