The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) said today (December 17) that the operation of the "Hong Kong Health Code" system has been smooth since its launch. The "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app version 3.0.1 will be available next Tuesday (December 21), with new functions which enable users to log in to the "Hong Kong Health Code" system more conveniently, thus streamlining the application process of the "Hong Kong Health Code".

     Major enhancements in the new version include:
 

• A new "Continue to Apply for Health Code" button: After uploading visit records through the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app to the "Hong Kong Health Code" system, users can press the new button to access the "Hong Kong Health Code" website and continue to apply for a "Hong Kong Health Code" without the need to re-enter the password; and

• Automatic input of a one-time passcode (OTP): After receiving the six-digit OTP through SMS, iOS and Android users can enter the passcode automatically with just one click, without further manual input.

     The OGCIO will continue to enhance the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app to provide a better user experience and facilitate a smoother user operation in recording their visits and registering for the "Hong Kong Health Code", a spokesman for the OGCIO said.

     The latest number of downloads of the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app is about 7.19 million. At present, over 104 000 public and private venues have participated in the scheme, among which about 82 000 are private venues. The "Hong Kong Health Code" has been open for registration since December 10, and around 556 000 members of the public have registered their accounts as at noon today, among which about 278 000 have activated their accounts.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: 
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited relating to fraudulent websites, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or e-mails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or One-Time Password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     A 45-year-old man was fined $4,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (December 17) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C).

     The man was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on February 23, 2021, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was fined $4,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today. 
 
     Breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the regulations. As of today, a total of 205 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.

     The Civil Service College today (December 17) held a thematic briefing session on "International Landscape and China's Foreign Relations in 2021" jointly with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (OCMFA) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The briefing was delivered by the Commissioner, Mr Liu Guangyuan. The session was attended by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, and around 400 senior officials, including Secretaries of Departments, Directors of Bureaux and other politically appointed officials, as well as Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments, and other senior directorate officers of the HKSAR Government. This session also heralds a series of talks to be launched next year on the country's foreign affairs.
 
     Addressing the session, Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the OCMFA for its great support to the HKSAR by actively running and participating in activities of different kind. She said that it is important for about 400 senior officials attending the session today, as members of the HKSAR's governing team, to better understand the country's history, foreign policy and latest developments as well as the evolving international landscape, and to consciously safeguard national security and interests in their day-to-day work. She hoped that colleagues could acquire more relevant knowledge and broaden their horizons through the session.
 
     As stated in the Policy Address Supplement this year, the Civil Service Bureau will collaborate closely with the OCMFA to enhance training for civil servants in learning more about the country's foreign affairs, so as to deepen their understanding of the international scene and the country's positioning. This will enable them to act in better concert with the country's foreign affairs policy in handling the relevant areas of work. To this end, the Civil Service College will launch together with the OCMFA a series of talks next year covering different topics on the country's foreign affairs.
 
     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said during the session, "The Civil Service College, which was newly established on December 9, will provide various training programmes for civil servants to reinforce their sense of national identity and deepen their capability for broad and strategic thinking, so as to nurture more talents in governance, promoting with full steam Hong Kong's integration into the national development and working together to build a better future for Hong Kong."
 
     Apart from civil service training, with the support of the Central People's Government and the assistance of the OCMFA, the first batch of five young public officers has been sent to work in the capacity of Chinese personnel in different agencies of the United Nations (UN) under the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme. This marked a great breakthrough of Hong Kong young people entering the international arena. The HKSAR Government is making preparations to send the second batch of officers, and will continue to work with the OCMFA and arrange more young public officers to take part in the above programme.

          

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (December 17) appealed to members of the public to donate blood during the Christmas and New Year holidays. As the demand for blood is continuing to increase with the approach of the winter surge at public hospitals, blood inventories have been depleting to very low levels. The inventories have to be duly replenished to maintain a stable blood supply for clinical transfusion to patients in hospital. Members of the public are also encouraged to register for bone marrow donation to give patients the blessing of reunions. 

     Just before the Christmas and New Year holidays, Grace (false name), who was diagnosed with thalassaemia major, went to a hospital for a blood transfusion. Due to serious impairment in haemoglobin production, she has required lifelong regular blood transfusions in hospitals since childhood. She said, "My life was given by countless generous blood donors. Thanks to every blood donor who is willing to donate to sustain patients' life." The patient is a social worker, and she shares her passion empowered by the blood received from numerous donors with those who need a helping hand.

     Most BTS donor centres will maintain service during the Christmas and New Year holidays. As a token of thanks, the BTS has prepared a festive tote bag for blood donors who come forward to give blood from December 17 to 27 at a donor centre or donation vehicle. Please refer to the attached promotional poster for details.

     Anyone aged between 16 and 65 (donation is possible up to the age of 75 if predetermined conditions are met), weighs 41 kilograms or above and is in good health is eligible to give blood. To prevent crowds from gathering and long waiting times at the donor centres, donors are advised to make appointments by calling the BTS' donor centres or via the "HK Blood" mobile app. For details, please visit www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts/mobile-app.