Tag Archives: China

     Police today (May 21) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Sau Mau Ping.      Sin Fu-lin, aged 77, went missing after she left her residence in Shun Lee Estate y… read more

     The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has been implemented for the 85th day since February 26, 2021.        So far, about 2 081 100 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered for members of the public … read more

     The Government gazetted earlier the specifications and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (the Regulation) (Cap. 599F) to maintain allowing catering premises to continue to operate in one or more modes of operation on the basis of “vaccine bubble”. A Government spokesman today (May 21) reminded catering premises operators that according to the directions, persons recovered from COVID-19 may be deemed to have completed the COVID-19 vaccination course after receiving one dose of COVID-19 vaccine 14 days ago.

     The Government spokesman said, “In terms of the relaxation of social distancing measures at catering premises under ‘vaccine bubble’, completion of the vaccination course in general means having received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine 14 days ago; while for persons recovered from COVID-19, they may be deemed to have completed the COVID-19 vaccination course after receiving one dose of vaccine 14 days ago. Special arrangements will be made to the paper and electronic vaccination records of these persons to reflect the relevant situation.”

     In view of this, the updated version of the “QR Code Verification Scanner”, developed by the Hong Kong SAR Government to allow premises operators to verify the authenticity of the QR codes of the COVID-19 vaccination records and electronic test records, has also been launched through Apple App Store and Huawei AppGallery, and will be launched through Google Play Store later. To assist operators of catering premises to use the “QR Code Verification Scanner” to verify the authenticity of the QR codes of the COVID-19 vaccination records and electronic test records issued by the Government, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will upload a tutorial video to its thematic webpage on “vaccine bubble” (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble.html) later for the reference of premises operators.

     The spokesman also reminded that, according to the specifications and directions under the Regulation, catering premises operators may choose to adopt type D mode of operation if they ensure that all staff members involved in the operation of the business on the premises have completed the COVID-19 vaccination course. Should type B mode of operation be chosen, catering premises operators may also adopt the alternative measure, which is ensuring their staff members concerned have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course in place of making arrangements for them to undergo a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test for the COVID-19 using combined nasal and throat swabs once every 14 days.

     Should the trade and the public wish to understand more about the modes of operation and other operational details of “vaccine bubble”, they may visit the thematic webpage or call 2868 0000 for enquiries. The FEHD will also update its thematic webpage at an appropriate time according to the latest directions under the Regulation, including information such as frequently asked questions and answers, etc.

     To minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the spokesman strongly appealed to operators and staff members of all premises to stay vigilant, and continue to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. read more

     The Government will exercise the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publish in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at ten specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.
 
     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau reminded the public that persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notices and hence are not required to undergo compulsory testing. Completion of the vaccination course in general means having received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine 14 days ago.
 
     In view of a non-locally confirmed case who had lived in Hong Kong, one specified premises is included in the compulsory testing notice today (May 21). In addition, in view of a preliminary positive case recorded today, one residential building is also included in the compulsory testing notice. Furthermore, since there were outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection and/or influenza-like illness in eight schools, and the symptoms of the concerned diseases are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence’s sake, the eight schools are also covered in the compulsory testing notice. Under existing practice, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) will provide these kindergartens and schools with stool specimen bottles or deep throat saliva specimen collection packs direct.
     
     Details of the compulsory testing notice are at Annex 1.
 
     In addition, subsequent to the announcement by the CHP on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with the N501Y mutant strain, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases and had been released from the quarantine centres will be subject to compulsory testing on the 3rd, 7th, 12th and 19th day counting from the announcement of the relevant confirmed case by the Department of Health (DH). Relevant persons have to undergo testing on specified dates. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day (see the details of the buildings and dates of testing at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf).
 
     Moreover, all foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) working in Hong Kong have to undergo compulsory testing for the second time during the period from May 15 to May 30. Details are here.
 
     In accordance with the compulsory testing notice issued earlier, all household members of close contacts are required to undergo compulsory testing. Any person who had lived with a person placed under quarantine pursuant to section 22 of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (person under quarantine) in the same residential unit on the date of commencement of quarantine or during the 14 days before that day, and who becomes aware of the quarantine of the person under quarantine when the relevant quarantine has not yet been completed, has to undergo testing within two days of him or her becoming aware that the person under quarantine has been placed under quarantine and report to the Government the result of the test by phone (at 6275 6901), fax (at 2530 5872) or email (ct@csb.gov.hk) within three days of undergoing the test.
 
     Currently, there are a total of 21 community testing centres (CTCs) providing testing services for the public, including free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). The system was enhanced to show the booking status of the centres for the coming 21 days to facilitate the public’s planning and selection of a suitable testing centre and a time slot for testing. The testing centres will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. The number of tests available for appointments at CTCs has been increased to over 46 000 per day, and additional manpower has been deployed to serve the public. As of 6pm today (May 21), there are around 21 000 booking places available for tomorrow (May 22) at the CTCs, and around 66 per cent and 81 per cent booking places for the coming seven days and 14 days respectively. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.
 
     The Government will set up mobile specimen collection stations at the following locations for residents and workers of Kornhill, Cullinan West and Allway Gardens subject to compulsory testing for free testing respectively:

• Block N of Kornhill, Quarry Bay (May 23)
• Open space outside Exit A1 of MTR Nam Cheong Station, Sham Shui Po (May 22 to 24)
• Block R, Allway Gardens, Tsuen Wan (May 22)

 
     The service period of the mobile specimen collection stations at carpark of Quarry Bay Community Hall, North Point Vehicular Ferry Pier Playground, Siu Sai Wan Community Hall, Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hankow Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kwai Chung Sports Ground and Kin Sang Community Hall in Tuen Mun will be extended to May 30 (Sunday).
 
     Coupled with the 21 CTCs, there will be a total of 55 CTCs/mobile specimen collection stations in various districts tomorrow to provide free service for persons subject to compulsory testing (including FDHs). The testing capacity should be sufficient to meet the demand. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are stated in Annex 2. Persons subject to compulsory testing, and those with the “LeaveHomeSafe” COVID-19 exposure notification or SMS notification from the Centre for Health Protection reminding them to undergo testing as soon as possible may receive free testing at CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable).
 
     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:
 
     1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
     2. To attend any of the community testing centres (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en);
     3. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
     4. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority;
     5. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf); or
     6. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the sample collected as per relevant guidelines.
 
     The spokesman cautioned that testing received at Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.
 
     “If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the community testing centres.”
 
     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notifications containing the result of the test for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.
 
     Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notices should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.
 
     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the community testing centres, they can check the centre’s appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the community testing centres are available at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info.
 
     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.
 
     Relevant officers of different government departments are empowered to perform certain functions under the relevant Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), including requesting individuals to provide information and assistance when necessary. Any person who fails to comply with the relevant request commits an offence and would be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). Collection and use of any personal data for conducting COVID-19 tests must meet the requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Government departments or testing service providers which handle the relevant information may provide the data to the DH or other relevant departments for anti-epidemic purposes as necessary. The workflow does not involve the provision of any personal data to organisations or persons outside Hong Kong.
 
     The spokesman said, “The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.” read more

     Hong Kong Customs today (May 21) seized about 430 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million and a duty potential of about $800,000 in Fo Tan.

    The batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was seized at an industrial building unit in an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Fo Tan this afternoon. A 37-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case was arrested.

     It is believed that a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse was smashed. Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk). 

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