The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (May 16), a total of 712 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently being treated in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, the Hospital Authority (HA) Infectious Disease Centre and public hospitals. There were 50 patients who have recovered, including 25 patients who have been discharged. In addition, no confirmed patient passed away in public hospitals yesterday.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 49 377 patients who have recovered so far, including 48 897 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 61 757 patients who have recovered, including 61 277 patients who have been discharged.
 
     The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 16) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, May 16, the CHP was investigating 113 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (24 confirmed cases, 82 asymptomatic cases and seven cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 121 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RATs) (62 symptomatic cases and 59 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 760 515 and 448 225 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The aforementioned newly reported cases consist of 42 imported cases (39 cases and three cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively). The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations on the cases. Please refer to the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, May 16, a total of 9 148 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded (i.e. no new reported cases), with 9 070 and 75 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as three deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 9 361 death cases that have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

     Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (May 15), the total number of confirmed cases was 331 633, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 198 158, 23 and 230 588 respectively.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed that as the local situation of COVID-19 infection is still severe, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

     â€‹The spokesman reminded that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who have yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected.

     The Chief Executive-elect, Mr John Lee, met with Legislative Council (the LegCo) Members in batches today (May 16) to gauge their views on the new-term Government and facilitate mutual communication and understanding. He met with legislators from the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, G19 and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong today.

     Mr Lee said he would lead the new-term Government to enhance communication with LegCo Members, especially taking heed of their views on policy formulation and introduction of bills through multiple channels. He looked forward to positive exchanges and interactions with the LegCo.

     He thanked the LegCo House Committee for approving the setting up of a subcommittee to study the proposed re-organisation of the government structure on May 13, adding that it would help the LegCo's deliberation and scrutiny of the proposal.

     Mr Lee will continue to meet with other LegCo Members in batches.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     â€‹The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (May 18) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on actively dovetailing with the Qianhai Plan to expedite the integration into the overall development of the country. The motion, moved by Dr Lo Wai-kwok, is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Chan Pui-leung, Dr Stephen Wong, Mr Lam San-keung, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Mr Yim Kong and Mr Tony Tse will move separate amendments to Dr Lo Wai-kwok's motion.
      
     Meanwhile, Mr Sunny Tan will move a motion on formulating a comprehensive blueprint for industries to promote the industrial development of Hong Kong. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Stephen Wong, Mr Duncan Chiu and Mr Holden Chow will move separate amendments to Mr Sunny Tan's motion.
      
     Dr Priscilla Leung will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2022 and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2022, laid on the table of the Council on April 27, 2022, to the meeting of June 15, 2022.
      
     On Government Bills, the Professional Accountants (Amendment) Bill 2022 and the Rural Representative Election (Amendment) Bill 2022 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
      
     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
      
     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the Webcast system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     The Government announced today (May 16) that it will accept the vaccination records issued by Ecuador, Kenya, Seychelles and Venezuela as recognised vaccination records for persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in overseas places. The relevant arrangements will take effect at 0.00am on May 18 (Wednesday). The Government also reminds persons travelling to Hong Kong that the COVID-19 testing certificates under the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EU DCC) mechanism can serve as a documentary proof for pre-boarding nucleic acid tests.

     The Government has concluded discussions with the governments of Ecuador, Kenya and Venezuela to accept vaccination records issued by these places as recognised vaccination records for persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in overseas places. Meanwhile, the Government announced earlier that it accepts vaccination records recognised under the EU DCC mechanism as recognised vaccination records required for the purpose of boarding flights for Hong Kong from overseas places. As the European Union (EU) has recently announced the recognition of the vaccination records issued by Seychelles as being equivalent to vaccination records issued by EU member states under the mechanism, the Government will therefore also accept the vaccination records issued by the place as recognised vaccination records.

     From 0.00am on May 18, persons who hold a vaccination record in the prescribed format (if applicable) issued by the relevant authorities of Ecuador, Kenya, Seychelles and Venezuela can board a flight for Hong Kong from overseas places. The vaccines administered for the relevant travellers have to be vaccines listed on the Government's List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes.

     At the same time, the Government notes that the EU DCC mechanism has also recognised the vaccination records issued by Indonesia and Vietnam. Further to the earlier recognition arrangement reached with the two places, the Government will update the List of Places or Organisations of Issuance of Recognised Vaccination Records to include Indonesia and Vietnam as places issuing recognised vaccination records under the EU DCC mechanism.

     Meanwhile, the EU DCC also includes COVID-19 testing certificates, which can serve as documentary proof that the relevant laboratory or healthcare institution is recognised or approved by the relevant authority of the government of the place. That is, if the EU DCC testing certificate held by the relevant person coming to Hong Kong includes the required information, including the full name of the relevant person, that the test was conducted within 48 hours before the scheduled time of departure, that the test conducted was a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic test, and that the test result was negative, that testing certificate can be considered to have complied with the documentary proof requirement for the pre-departure nucleic acid test.

     The Government has implemented stringent inbound prevention and control measures for persons arriving at Hong Kong from overseas places. Persons who have stayed in any overseas place can only board a flight for Hong Kong if they are fully vaccinated and hold recognised vaccination records. Recognised vaccination records include (a) vaccination records issued by Hong Kong, (b) vaccination records or certifications issued by Mainland or Macao authorities or an institution recognised by Mainland or Macao authorities, (c) vaccination records or certifications issued by an authority or recognised institution of a country where its national regulatory authority is designated by the World Health Organization as a stringent regulatory authority, (d) vaccination records or certifications issued by a relevant authority or recognised institution of a country with which Hong Kong has reached a recognition agreement arrangement with its government, or (e) vaccination records issued by an organisation with which Hong Kong has reached a recognition agreement arrangement.

     The list of places or organisations that are accepted for issuing recognised vaccination records is set out in the Annex, and will be uploaded to the Government's COVID-19 thematic website.

     The Government will continue to discuss with other places on the arrangements for the recognition of vaccination records, and will update the list as recognition arrangements are agreed with these places.