In view of the dire epidemic situation in Hong Kong, the Government announced on February 22 the tightening of social distancing measures as well as on March 21 the outcome of the mid-term review including the decision to maintain t… read more
A Government spokesman said today (March 23) that consent has been given to resume the pile foundation works of a private development project (Grand YOHO 3) near MTR Yuen Long Station.
The spokesman said that the acceptable limit of the settlement monitoring checkpoints installed at two viaduct piers near MTR Yuen Long Station was 20 millimetres. The readings recorded reached 15mm to 18mm in September 2013. Although these values did not exceed the acceptable limit and there was no structural safety concern on the two piers, the pile foundation works of the above private development were suspended in September 2013 having regard to the settlement recorded and upon request by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL).
After suspension of the works, the Buildings Department (BD) has continued to closely monitor the changes in the settlement levels. The MTRCL has also been closely monitoring the structure of the viaduct piers and tracks to ensure railway safety has not been affected. To alleviate the extent of settlement of the two affected piers, the MTRCL subsequently submitted a preventive and strengthening works proposal to the BD, and obtained the BD’s acceptance for the proposed works. The proposed grouting and underpinning works have been carried out. According to the monitoring records, the settlement of the two piers has been reduced to 12mm to 13mm.
The registered building professional concerned for the private development has submitted to the BD the amendment plans for the foundation works and has proposed suitable mitigation measures to ensure that structural safety of the piers and the nearby railway facilities would not be affected by the resumption of works. The BD has imposed extra conditions when approving the amendment plans, requiring implementation of a series of measures to enhance site supervision and the safety of works when carrying out the remaining works. The registered building professional then requested resumption of the suspended works.
The BD has confirmed the structural safety of the railway facilities concerned, and the MTRCL has confirmed that the resumption of works would not affect the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has also confirmed that the MTRCL has put in place stringent monitoring measures to ensure the safety of railway operation.
Having considered the above advice and the mitigation measures proposed by the registered building professional concerned, the request for resumption of works was accepted today and the suspended building works will resume on March 30.
“The BD, the EMSD and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway,” the spokesman said. read more
A Government spokesman said today (March 23) that the Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme (TUR) started off with an overwhelming response on its first day of the three-week application period.  … read more
The Government yesterday (March 22) 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 5pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in Kwun Tong (i.e. Tsui Mei House, Tsui Ping (North) Estate, Kwun Tong, excluding the Kindergarten 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.
In addition, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring any persons who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from March 9 to March 22, 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 24, 2022.
The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 11.30am today (March 23) 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 2.15pm 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 operation was co-ordinated and conducted by the Audit Commission, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (Treasury Branch), the Government Logistics Department, the Government Property Agency and the Rating and Valuation Department.　
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 wear wristbands 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 2.15pm. Test records of around 147 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. Eight 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 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.
Regarding a Member’s question at the Chief Executive’s Question and Answer Session held by the Legislative Council today (March 23) concerning the usage of the Emergency (Exemption from Statutory Requirements) (COVID-19) Regulation (Cap. 241N) (Emergency Regulation), a spokesman for the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office responded as follows:
Since the Emergency Regulation commenced operation on February 24, the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) has exercised the power to exempt relevant persons or projects from complying with the relevant statutory requirements on three types of projects, and relevant announcements were made. The projects include:
(1) granting of exemption for the construction of a hospital for emergency use located in the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the works projects for other community isolation and treatment facilities, all supported by the Central People’s Government, including the temporary bridges for point-to-point transportation and conveyance between Shenzhen and the fenced-off construction site in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, with a view to completing these projects as soon as possible;
(2) granting of exemption to allow operators of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) to use suitable premises other than those approved under the relevant licence(s) to separate and take care of COVID-19 confirmed and non-confirmed elders, with a view to protecting their safety and health. The relevant RCHEs only need to obtain the Social Welfare Department’s agreement; and
(3) granting of exemption for the Mainland medical support personnel who have come to Hong Kong from the relevant legal requirements on registration, etc. This provides comprehensive legal protection for their participation in the treatment of patients in Hong Kong.
　
The above exempted projects have been announced to the public after exemptions were granted through different channels such as the Government’s press releases, press conferences on anti-epidemic measures, and the CS’s speeches and blogs.
　　
The exemption power under the Emergency Regulation is applicable to the legal requirements in respect of licences, permits, registrations, etc. If the objective of preventing or controlling the transmission of COVID-19, treating patients or putting the epidemic under control is met, the CS will grant exemption on the basis of actual needs in accordance with the law. read more