Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, June 26, the CHP was investigating two additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 912 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 911 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     All of the newly reported cases are imported cases.
 
     A total of 35 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (June 12 to 25), including one local case with unknown sources.
    
     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).
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to compulsory testing notices (CTNs). The Regulation also requires all household members of close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within a specified period according to CTNs published in the Gazette. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop, and undergo testing as soon as possible.
 
     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).
 
     The CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with everyday tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.
 
     The spokesman said, “Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases including mutant strains reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
 
     “The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes. Moreover, vaccination may help keep people from getting seriously ill even if they do get COVID-19, and, generally speaking, vaccines can also reduce the chance of transmission by those who have been vaccinated. People vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine can also generate herd immunity. Members of the public are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible and book their vaccination appointments at the website (booking.covidvaccine.gov.hk/forms/index.jsp).
 
     “As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps). After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.”
 
     Moreover, the Government has launched the website “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the “StayHomeSafe” mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 

• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, at a media session after attending the opening ceremony of thematic exhibition on Chinese scientists in 100 years cum unveiling ceremony of lunar soil this morning (June 26):

Reporter: First one, how do you respond to criticisms that question your lack of experience in many policy areas? The second question, it is expected that you will take up an important role in the vetting committee for the upcoming three elections. You have been perceived as a hard line official, what criteria will you use to screen out potential candidates? Thanks. 

Chief Secretary for Administration: I thank you for the question. There is no know-all I think in this world. I have strengths, which I think the Chief Executive considers, will assist her to achieve what she wants to do in her governance in this year. When I consider whether I will take up this job, I seriously reflected on my strengths and experience. 

     The making of policies, of course, the responsibility rests on the secretary concerned, but as the Chief Secretary of course, I have the overall duty of co-ordinating, mobilising, and also ensuring that the policy meets the objectives of the Government. 

     I will be putting strong emphasis on collective commitment in implementing any policy that is proposed by a secretary. The purpose of the Chief Secretary is not to take away the responsibility of making policies from the responsible secretary. That is how the Hong Kong Government’s system works. But it is important that there is a senior officer to give an objective view, consider it from other angles, taking into consideration other interests and concerns, so as to ensure all the concerns and matters are addressed, and I consider that as my main function. I think I can do that well because I have 44 years’ experience in Government, and when I make policies, I don’t just consider the pros, I take exceptions to the cons. The cons usually are what members of the public are concerned with, and cons are usually not taken seriously when we have a very complex issue, sometimes over-possessed by what one tries to achieve, therefore paying less attention to what repercussions sometimes can inevitably happen. And I think I have that strength to ensure that effective policies will be formulated. 

     As regards my firmness to matters, my firmness to matters is mainly about what is right and what is wrong, what is lawful and what is unlawful. I think I have made that very clear during my term in this Government. The criteria for assessing whether a candidate is qualified is very simple. Basically two criteria, whether that candidate truly upholds the Basic Law, and whether the candidate truly bears allegiance to Hong Kong. But truly is also an important element. We don’t want somebody to fake allegiance, to fake upholding the Basic Law. That is what the law doesn’t allow, and that is politically, ethically and from the whole angle of Hong Kong’s interest not allowed. 

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     A 33-year-old woman was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for 14 days by the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (June 26) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) (the Regulation).

     The woman was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at a hotel for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she left the place of quarantine on June 21, 2021, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 14 days.

     Breaching a 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 compulsory 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 147 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory 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. read more

     â€‹The Government announced today (June 26) the list of recognised private medical laboratories for conducting recognised antibody test. 

     Having accepted the recommendation of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (Joint Scientific Committee, JSC), the Government will, in a step-by-step manner taking into account experts’ advice, implement antibody testing for the purpose of administering compulsory quarantine requirements on inbound travellers who have been fully vaccinated and tested positive for antibody. 

     Administering compulsory quarantine requirements must fulfill the following criteria:

     (1) The test is IgG/total antibody test against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein/surrogate neutralising antibody test; 
     (2) The test is done by a recognised medical laboratory listed in Annex;
     (3) The test is done within three months (based on specimen collection date);
     (4) Laboratories in Group A (private medical laboratories with the test area of “virology–serology” accredited under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS)) may use any validated antibody testing platforms; 
     (5) Laboratories in Group B (accredited private medical laboratories recognised by the Hong Kong Government’s Laboratory Recognition Scheme without the “virology–serology” accreditation) may only use specified antibody testing platforms (currently include antibody testing platforms in use by the Hospital Authority); and 
     (6) The test result must be reported in the prescribed format in paper form or in the electronic form on Government system to be rolled out separately.

     The currently recognised antibody tests will be done by serology testing using blood drawn from veins. The decision to receive serology testing is completely voluntary and it is a self-paid arrangement.

     For Phase 1 which will be effective from June 30, persons in Hong Kong may take a recognised antibody test before departing Hong Kong, and the documentary proof of such will be recognised for the purpose of administering the compulsory quarantine arrangements upon returning to Hong Kong. The Government will implement Phase 2 within July to provide self-paid recognised antibody test for inbound travellers at the airport subject to the implementation progress and latest epidemic developments. The arrangements for Phase 2 will be announced in due course. 

     Private medical laboratories which are not yet covered by the list in Annex but intend to provide recognised antibody test for travellers can obtain the above prescribed antibody tests in the scope of HOKLAS accreditation. 

     The spokesman said, “The relevant arrangements implement the interim recommendations of the JSC joined by the Chief Executive’s expert advisory panel made on June 9 (see separate press release) (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202106/21/P2021062100692.htm)”

     As announced by the Government on June 21, the duration of compulsory quarantine for inbound travellers could be adjusted to seven days of quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel plus seven days of self-monitoring with multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid tests if they meet all the following three criteria:

     (1) Fully vaccinated with a vaccination record (Note);
     (2) Obtained a negative nucleic acid test result during “test-and-hold” arrangement upon arrival at Hong Kong; and
     (3) Possess positive result proof of a recognised serology antibody test conducted within the past three months.

     The purpose of checking antibodies is to show evidence of response to vaccination.
      
     Hong Kong has been maintaining strict border control measures against importation of cases to control the epidemic situation. The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation of various places, the prevalence of new virus variants, vaccination progress, and changes in the volume of cross-boundary passenger traffic, and will adjust the boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from relevant places as the situation warrants.
      
Note: Fully vaccinated means the suggested dosage has been administered in accordance with the relevant guidelines of a COVID-19 vaccination course at least 14 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong. The relevant vaccines administered should be those included on the List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/list_of_recognised_covid19_vaccines.pdf). For travellers who have recovered from previous COVID-19 infection, they will be required to receive one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to be considered as fully vaccinated. read more

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 26) will be cancelled. read more