The Government yesterday (March 4) 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 7pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Tseung Kwan O (i.e. Tower 1 and Tower 2, Twin Peaks, Tseung Kwan O, excluding the shopping arcade thereat and Zenith Kindergarten & International Nursery) 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 had issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday to any person who had been present at the building for more than two hours from February 19 to March 4, 2022 to undergo compulsory testing on or before March 6, 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 11am today (March 5) 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 11am today, persons in the "restricted area" in Tseung Kwan O who have undergone testing and are able to present SMS notifications with negative test results or wear wristbands 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 11pm yesterday. Around 840 people within the area had undergone testing, among which 20 cases tested preliminarily positive were found. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will arrange to follow up.
      
     Regarding cases tested preliminarily positive in the specified "restricted area", the Government has provided additional food packs and disinfection products to these persons and their household members pending follow-up arrangement.
      
     Moreover, the Government also assigned staff to visit around 370 households, among which 42 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 or wear a wristband 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 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     Hongkong Post said today (March 5) that as some postal staff members have been confirmed as having COVID-19, the Tai Po Post Office is closed today. Aberdeen Post Office, Wyndham Street Post Office, Gloucester Road Post Office, Concorde Road Post Office, Kwun Tong Post Office, Tseung Kwan O Post Office, Sai Kung Post Office, Ma On Shan Post Office, Fo Tan Post Office and Kwai Fong Post Office are closed until March 7.

     The postal staff members concerned underwent temperature screening when attending work and their body temperature was normal. They were wearing masks while on duty.

     Upon notification of the cases, Hongkong Post arranged for all postal staff members concerned to undergo COVID-19 testing and thorough cleaning and disinfection of all the facilities and mail items of the premises pursuant to the guidelines set out by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH).

     Members of the public can access postal services at other nearby post offices in the districts. For the locations of the post offices, please refer to the following link: www.hongkongpost.hk/en/about_us/network/post_offices/index.html#list. Hongkong Post apologises for the inconvenience caused. For enquiries, members of the public may call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222.
      
     Hongkong Post will continue to implement measures for social distancing and infection control at all postal facilities to safeguard the health of staff and the public, and maintain close liaison with the CHP of the DH. Staff members are also reminded to take note of their personal hygiene and stay vigilant at all times, and are advised to seek medical advice immediately in case of feeling unwell.

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.
 

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.
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (March 05) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.