Tag Archives: China

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      â€‹As at 9am today (October 24), three COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 12286, 12292, 12316) were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So … read more

     Hong Kong Customs and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) seized a total of about 17 000 suspected smuggled hairy crabs and about 1.1 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen food with a total estimated market value of about $1.59 million in a joint operation at Man Kam To Control Point on October 22.

     Customs officers on that day intercepted an incoming goods vehicle at the control point. After inspection, the suspected unmanifested hairy crabs and frozen food were found mingled with other properly declared goods.

     The suspected unmanifested hairy crabs are estimated worth about $1.53 million and the suspected unmanifested frozen food including meat and poultry is estimated worth about $60,000.

     Furthermore, the hairy crabs seized did not come with health certificates issued by the relevant authorities of the exporting economies and failed to comply with the requirements of the Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit. The frozen meat and poultry seized also came without health certificates issued by an issuing entity from the place of origin or obtaining prior permission in writing from the FEHD.

     The 47-year-old male driver was arrested. An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations, any person who imports game, meat, poultry or eggs should produce a health certificate issued by an issuing entity from the place of origin or obtain prior permission in writing from the FEHD. Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

     According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction. Moreover, under the Food Safety Ordinance, any person who, without reasonable excuse, does not register but carries on a food importation or distribution business commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
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     The relevant joint operation will continue. Both departments will keep up close co-operation and intelligence exchanges.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

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     â€‹The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, October 24, the CHP was investigating four additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 12 324 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 12 323 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     The newly reported cases are imported cases. Three of the cases involved mutant strains, and the mutation test result of the remaining case is pending. The patients comprise two males and two females, aged 37 to 51. Three of them arrived in Hong Kong from a Group A specified place (high-risk) and the other one arrived from a Group B specified place (medium-risk). Two of them tested positive during quarantine at the designated quarantine facility (Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre) while the other two tested positive by the “test-and-hold” arrangement upon arrival at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A total of 58 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (October 10 to 23) and all of them are imported cases.

     According to the testing and quarantine arrangements for local COVID-19 cases with mutant strains, the CHP reminded people that persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on days 3, 7, 12 and 19 following the announcement of the relevant confirmed cases by the DH. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day. Relevant deadlines of compulsory testing for respective specified premises are listed on the Government’s website at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf.

     Specified persons in relation to the following specified premises are also reminded to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the compulsory testing notice tomorrow (October 25):

• Tower 10, Phase 3 – The Graces, Providence Bay, Tai Po

     The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk). The DH has also been closely monitoring the mutant strains of SARS CoV-2 and has uploaded the relevant information on Variants of Concern (VOCs) and Variants of Interest (VOIs), based on whole genome sequencing results, to the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/statistics/data/10/641/100135/6973.html). The data will be updated regularly.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed, “The global situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility, and there are also reports of breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals. The CHP strongly urges members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, in particular to specified places with high risk under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H).”

     The spokesman reminded, “If travel is unavoidable, the CHP highly recommends the public to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines before their departure. They should avoid participating in non-essential mass gatherings or events held outside Hong Kong. They should continue to wear a surgical mask and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Parents are also urged to avoid taking unvaccinated children travelling.”

     The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk). Generally speaking, COVID-19 vaccination can prevent COVID-19 infection, and if infected, reduce the risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.

     The CHP called on members of the public to pay attention to their health condition, seek medical advice early and undergo COVID-19 nucleic acid testing as soon as possible if respiratory symptoms develop. They should also maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times to protect themselves against infection and prevent the spread of the disease in the community. For more related health advice, please refer to the website www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/health-advice.html. read more

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Tseung Kwan O this morning (October 24) in which a woman died.        The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon … read more