A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (May 4) that the latest specifications and directions to be issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to catering business and scheduled premises under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) will be effective from tomorrow (May 5) for a period of 14 days to May 18. The spokesman appealed to catering premises operators to observe the relevant arrangements and strictly comply with various requirements and directions under Cap. 599F and other relevant anti-epidemic regulations at all times. Customers patronising catering premises are also required to comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions.

     Under the latest directions, starting from tomorrow, the maximum number of persons per table in catering premises will be raised from the current four to eight, while other requirements and restrictions on catering premises will continue to remain in force. Bars/pubs will remain closed during the period of tomorrow to May 18.

     In addition, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer also encourages the public to update the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application to the latest version (3.2.3), which makes the function of displaying the Vaccine Pass QR code work more smoothly.

     The spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD will continue to step up its inspections and conduct joint operations with the Police, so as to take stringent enforcement action against operators, staff and customers of catering businesses and certain scheduled premises who defy anti-epidemic regulations during the coming long weekend."

     The FEHD will also issue advisory letters to operators of catering premises reminding them to pay attention to the latest requirements and directions. The spokesman again appealed to catering premises operators to remain vigilant and continue to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner, with a view to keeping their staff, customers and the public safe. Members of the public also have to comply with the related regulations and directions on vaccination, group gatherings and mask wearing at catering premises, in order to help the epidemic situation continue to subside and prevent a rebound.   

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     â€‹As at 0.00am today (May 4), a total of 1 170 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, the Treatment Centre for COVID-19 (AWE) and public hospitals. There were 146 patients who have recovered, including 106 patients who have been discharged. In addition, three patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.

     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 48 382 patients who have recovered so far, including 47 596 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 60 762 patients who have recovered, including 59 976 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 (DH) today (May 4) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, May 4, the CHP was investigating 112 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (39 confirmed cases, 56 asymptomatic cases and 17 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 201 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RATs) (92 symptomatic cases and 109 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 759 024 and 446 372 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 22 imported cases (14 cases and eight 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 4, a total of 9 115 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 041 and 71 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 9 328 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 3), the total number of confirmed cases was 330 943, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 197 144, 22 and 230 803 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.
 
     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.

  

     In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from some sewage samples collected in Kowloon City and Southern District, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (May 4) that the Kowloon City District Office (KCDO) and the Southern District Office (SDO) have distributed a total of about 107 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the districts.
          
     The KCDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in residential premises around Tam Kung Road and Shing Tak Street for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the residents' organisation.
 
     In addition, the SDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Chi Fu Fa Yuen, Chi Fu Fa Yuen – Yar Chee Villas, Pokfulam Gardens and Pok Fu Lam Village for voluntary testing through the property management companies, the non-governmental organisation and the residents' organisation.
            
     The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.
          
     Members of the public may refer to the demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) via www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk to learn how to use the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.
          
     Persons testing positive through an RAT should take a photo of the test result and declare the result within 24 hours via the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If members of the public encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The CHP under the DH will contact the relevant person later to complete the report procedure. There is no need to declare negative test results.
          
     The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19.

    

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited Wan Chai North today (May 4) to view the newly constructed Exhibition Centre Station of the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension to understand the preparatory work for the commencement of service of the extension on May 15. She also visited the reprovisioned facilities nearby that were part of the construction works of the railway project.

     Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan; the Chairman of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), Dr Rex Auyeung; and the Chief Executive Officer of the MTRCL, Dr Jacob Kam, visited the platforms and concourse of Exhibition Centre Station and received a briefing from representatives of the MTRCL on the facilities and features of the station. Exhibition Centre Station is a three-level underground station on the extension of the current East Rail Line, connecting Hung Hom and Admiralty Stations, and is one of the newly constructed stations along the Shatin to Central Link. Mrs Lam noted that various elements had been integrated into the design of the station, including artworks by local artists displayed at the station concourse and platforms, exhibition panels detailing the East Rail Line's history of over 100 years and exhibits showcasing the challenges posed to the construction of the cross-harbour extension, such as the display of the casing of a World War II bomb discovered in the course of excavation work. In addition, the station's various exits were connected to public facilities such as a network of footbridges, a public transport interchange and Harbour Road Sports Centre, providing greater convenience to railway passengers, in particular when mega events would be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

     Mrs Lam then visited Wan Chai Swimming Pool of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. To facilitate the construction of Exhibition Centre Station, Wan Chai Swimming Pool and Harbour Road Sports Centre were reprovisioned next to their original sites. The original buildings were only demolished after the completion of reprovisioning works. The new swimming pool and the new sports centre, with five storeys, opened in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Adopting environmentally friendly designs, such as installation of solar panels on the rooftop, the buildings were awarded the BEAM Plus New Buildings Gold rating by the Hong Kong Green Building Council.

     Afterwards, Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, toured the Police Officers' Club in Causeway Bay, which was also reprovisioned in the course of the construction of the railway project. The original Police Officers' Club was built in the 1980s and demolished in 2015. The club was reprovisioned at its original site and reopened in late 2021 to continue to provide activity venues as well as a range of sports, recreational and dining facilities for police officers and their families.

     Mrs Lam said, "The commencement of the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension on May 15, coupled with the full commissioning in June last year of the Tuen Ma Line which covers the Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section, marks the completion of the whole Shatin to Central Link project and an important milestone in the railway development of Hong Kong. The Shatin to Central Link project has encountered various challenges since works commenced in 2012. I would like to express my gratitude to the MTRCL, the construction team, contractors and various government departments for their unflagging efforts and perseverance in the face of difficulties to ensure smooth project completion. After the commissioning of the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension, passengers can directly travel from the New Territories North to the business and trading, exhibition and financial centre in the vicinity of Wan Chai North and Admiralty. The East Rail Line has four interchange stations and connects to five existing railway lines, providing members of the public with a more integrated railway network, commuting convenience and a more closely knit community, and strengthening Hong Kong's public transportation system with the railway as the backbone."