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.

     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.

     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.

     With the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels), Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) and the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS), Hong Kong films are enjoying a strong presence at the 23rd Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, Italy from June 24 to July 2.
      
     The FEFF is one of the largest film festivals in Europe, showcasing the latest productions from Asia and receiving significant national and international interest from the film industry, cultural sector and media. HKETO, Brussels has been supporting Hong Kong film events at the FEFF for more than a decade. Following the latest COVID-19 restrictions in Udine, the FEFF this year is organised in a hybrid format, with films being shown in theatres and through online screenings. 
      
     A total of 64 films from 11 Asian regions are being screened in this year's FEFF. With support from the HKETO, Brussels, CreateHK and the HKIFFS, 14 Hong Kong films are being screened at this year's FEFF, including eight recent Hong Kong films featuring virtual post-screening talks with their filmmakers under the Hong Kong New Talents programme, which is specially organised to showcase the strong creativity and artistry of emerging Hong Kong filmmakers. 
      
     Before the screening of "Shock Wave 2", the opening film for online screening in the evening of June 24, followed by a theatre screening in the evening of June 25, the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, addressed audiences through a pre-recorded video. Miss Chau thanked the FEFF for sharing its appreciation of Hong Kong movies and filmmakers, as well as for its unwavering support to the film industry, particularly during this difficult time of the global pandemic. Miss Chau highlighted that apart from financing the production of small-to-medium budget films and supporting the industry to join international film festivals, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government also subsidises training programmes to nurture young talents. In particular, the HKSAR Government has launched the Directors' Succession Scheme, in which established directors will team up with young filmmakers to co-produce films, with subsidies granted.
      
     "This year's festival is very special as it takes notice of Hong Kong's emerging film talents. Through the Hong Kong New Talents programme, the international audience has the opportunity to experience the creativity of a new generation of Hong Kong filmmakers. We are proud that a number of government-sponsored films have successfully made their way to various international film festivals. We look forward to bringing more Hong Kong films to Italian audiences," Miss Chau said.
      
     Miss Chau also took the opportunity to highlight that the core values of Hong Kong, including freedom of speech and free flow information, ideas and talent, have created a favourable environment for creative industries to flourish. She encouraged talents from all over the world, including Italy, to come to Hong Kong to explore the opportunities offered by the city.
      
     The eight Hong Kong films presented under the Hong Kong New Talents programme in this year's FEFF are:
 

• Jun Li's "Drifting";
• Chan Kin-long's "Hand Rolled Cigarette";
• Erica Li's "Just 1 Day";
• Man Lim-chung's "Keep Rolling";
• Chiu Sin-hang's "One Second Champion";
• Sunny Lau's "Sugar Street Studio";
• Ricky Ko's "Time"; and
• Jimmy Wan's "Zero to Hero". 

 
     The other six Hong Kong films screened at this year's FEFF are:
 

• Herman Yau's "Shock Wave 2";
• Adam Wong's "The Way We Keep Dancing";
• Fruit Chan's "Coffin Homes";
• Soi Cheang's "Limbo";
• Emily Chan's "Madalena"; and
• Andrew Lau's and Alan Mak's "Infernal Affairs" (restored version).

 
     "Shock Wave 2" is the opening film of the online edition of this year's FEFF, whereas the restored version of "Infernal Affairs" is the closing film for both threatre screenings and online screenings. "Sugar Street Studio"，"Zero to Hero", "Coffin Homes" and "Madalena" will all have their world premieres at the FEFF. "The Way We Keep Dancing" and "Just 1 Day" are two of the successful projects funded by the Film Production Grant Scheme under the Film Development Fund, which was launched by the HKSAR Government in November 2015 to support small-to-medium budget film productions.

  

     As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (June 26) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.