A spokesman for the Department of Justice (DoJ) said that a new round of application exercise for arbitration and dispute resolution institutions to qualify under Article 2(1) of the Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Arrangement) was launched today (December 20). The details of the application procedures are set out on the webpage of the DoJ.

     Under the Arrangement signed between the DoJ and the Supreme People's Court in April 2019, parties to arbitral proceedings seated in Hong Kong and administered by eligible arbitral institutions which have been designated would be able to apply to the relevant Mainland courts for interim measures. Those interested to be the designated institutions or permanent offices under the Arrangement may submit an application to the DoJ.

     All applications and supporting documents shall be in writing and submitted to the DoJ on or before January 20, 2023, by post or email as follows:

Alternative Dispute Resolution Team
Civil Division
Department of Justice
2nd floor, East Wing, Justice Place,
18 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong

Email: arbitration@doj.gov.hk

     For enquiries, please contact the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team of the DoJ (Tel: 3902 8604; email: arbitration@doj.gov.hk).

     The Environmental Protection Department, together with the Tai Po Police District and the Department of Health, conducted an enforcement operation today (December 20) at a building in Tai Po, which was included in a compulsory testing notice earlier. The operation commenced at around 8am and ended at around 11am today.
 
     Starting from around 8am today, staff arranged by the Government stationed at the entrances/exits of Yee Sing Court, Tai Po Plaza, Tai Po, to verify the testing certifications of persons subject to compulsory testing so as to confirm whether they had undergone testing in compliance with the requirement of the compulsory testing notice. Persons subject to compulsory testing had to present the SMS notification containing the results of COVID-19 tests or relevant proof, to prove that they had followed the requirement pursuant to the compulsory testing notice and completed the test within the specified period.
 
     During the operation, 207 persons were checked. Among them, six persons were found to have failed to comply with the compulsory testing notice. They were subsequently issued compulsory testing orders, requiring them to undergo testing within a specified period. Fixed penalty notices of $10,000 each were also issued to three of them.
   
     The Government expresses gratitude to most persons subject to compulsory testing who complied with the compulsory testing notices for their co-operation to fight the virus together. A Government spokesman reminded that any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notice commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $10,000. The Government will also issue the person concerned a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order is an offence, and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and an imprisonment for six months. The spokesman reiterated that the Government will continue to enforce the law strictly.
 
      Also, the Government understands that the enforcement process may cause inconvenience to some residents, and appeals for understanding. Gratitude is also extended to members of the public and relevant organisations for their support and co-operation.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will pay a duty visit to Beijing from tomorrow afternoon (December 21) to December 24 to brief state leaders on the latest economic, social and political situation in Hong Kong. The Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, and the Private Secretary to the Chief Executive, Ms Priscilla To, will join the visit.
      
     During Mr Lee's absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 20) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) said today (December 20) that the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Alice Lau, has tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test. She is undergoing isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health.

     Ms Lau last went to work on December 16. She wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work, including conducting polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid tests and rapid antigen tests regularly. She has no recent travel history.

     The LWB will conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection operations at the office concerned and will continue to implement disease prevention measures vigorously.