â€‹The Government exercises the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publishes in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at two specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.

     In relation to a previous imported case who had stayed in Hong Kong during the incubation period, any person who had been present at one specified premises during the specified period has to undergo additional testing. For prudence's sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.
 
     Furthermore, since there was an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection and/or influenza-like illness in one school, and the symptoms of the diseases concerned are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence's sake, the relevant school is covered in the compulsory testing notice. Persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notice.
 
     Persons subject to compulsory testing in accordance with a compulsory testing notice must go to any of the mobile specimen collection stations, community testing centres (CTCs) or recognised local medical testing institutions to undergo professional swab sampling in fulfilling the requirements for compulsory testing. Young children may continue to undergo the test using a stool specimen.

     If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above, the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or the post-super typhoon "extreme conditions" announcement by the Government is in force at any time during the period for undergoing the compulsory testing, the period for undergoing the compulsory testing will be further extended for one day.

     The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from COVID-19. They can provide protection to those vaccinated to prevent serious complications and even death after infection. The Government appeals to persons who are not yet vaccinated, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, to get vaccinated as soon as possible for better self-protection before the fifth wave strikes in Hong Kong.

     Details of the compulsory testing notice are in Annex 1.

     Subsequent to the announcement by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with a mutant strain, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on specified dates in accordance with the announcement by the Department of Health (DH). 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). For prudence's sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.

     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 (6275 6901), fax (2530 5872) or email (ct@csb.gov.hk) within three days of undergoing the test. For prudence's sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.

     The CTCs provide 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 shows the booking status of the centres for the coming two weeks 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. As of 6pm today (November 6), there were around 33 000 booking places available for tomorrow (November 7) at the CTCs, and around 94 per cent availability for booking places for the coming seven days. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.

     As persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of local COVID-19 cases with a mutant strain will be subject to compulsory testing on specified dates in accordance with the announcement by the DH, the Government will re-open a mobile specimen collection station at the open area outside Graceful Mansion (Block H2), Siena Two, in Discovery Bay tomorrow to provide free testing service for residents and workers subject to compulsory testing. Outdoor mobile specimen collection stations will be closed if Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force while all mobile specimen collection stations together with all CTCs will be closed when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force.

     Coupled with all CTCs, there will be a total of 27 CTCs/mobile specimen collection stations in various districts tomorrow to provide free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. 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 CHP reminding them to undergo testing as soon as possible may receive free testing at the 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 CTCs (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en); 
3. 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), and the relevant sample must be taken through combined nasal and throat swabs; or
4. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the stool sample collected as per relevant guidelines.
 
     If a person subject to compulsory testing obtains a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner, proving that he or she is unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons, then he or she may choose to undergo testing via the following routes by providing a deep throat saliva sample:

1. 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 out-patient 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);
2. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority; or
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results.

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau cautioned that testing received at the 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 CTCs."

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notifications containing the result of the test and the relevant medical certificate (if applicable) 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 CTCs, they can check the centre's appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the CTCs 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."

     Police are investigating an attempted murder and attempted suicide case in Cheung Sha Wan yesterday (November 5) and arrested a 38-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman.

     At 12.18 pm today (November 6), Police received a report saying that the 38-year-old man and his 33-year-old wife suspectedly burnt charcoal in a unit on Lai Ying Street yesterday. Their sons aged six and two were in the unit.

     After initial investigation, Police arrested the 38-year-old man and the 33-year-old woman for attempted murder. The arrestees are being detained for further enquiries.

     The six and two-year-old boys were sent to Caritas Medical Centre in conscious state.

     Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Sham Shui Po District is underway.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about one kilogram of suspected ketamine and about 10.5 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine after examination of two air mail parcels and one air consignment at Hong Kong International Airport on October 11 and November 1. The total market value of the seizure is around $8.2 million in estimate. Three persons, aged between 34 and 43, were arrested.
      
     Customs officers examined a garment-declared air postal parcel from Pakistan on October 11. Around one kilogram of suspected ketamine was found in two salt packets. Subsequently, officers inspected two toy-declared air postal parcels from Thailand on November 1. About four kilograms of suspected methamphetamine were found from two toy cars. Follow-up investigation revealed that they may be connected as consignee and address are same for both cases. Customs officers arrested a 43-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man in Tsuen Wan yesterday. The total market value of the suspected ketamine and methamphetamine seized is around $3.6 million in estimate.

     In another development, Customs officers inspected an air consignment from South Africa on November 1. Declared as ink roller, about 6.5 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine were found inside the ink rollers. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday, with about one gram of suspected cannabis buds was also found in his possession. The seizure's total market value is around $4.6 million in estimate.
      
     Investigation of the two cases are ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

    

     â€‹The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu, officiated at the Kick-off Ceremony of the 150th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) cum Evening Musical Performance held by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) at the HKZBG today (November 6) to commemorate its services over one and a half centuries.

     Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, Mr Tsui said the 150th anniversary marks a significant milestone for the HKZBG and one of its main tasks, as being a nature conservation centre, is to arouse public understanding and appreciation of various natural species, and inspire an appreciation of the interdependence between humans and nature through education, conservation and exhibitions. 

     He said, "In further enhancing the park, we will commence various improvement works, including construction of new mammal enclosures and aviaries, and upgrading of landscape facilities. On another front, we will continue to conduct collaborative conservation programmes with international zoological and botanical institutions and to expand our global horticulture and wildlife education programmes, in order to ensure that the HKZBG remains one of the most unique and popular parks in Hong Kong."

     He added that in commemoration of this special occasion of the 150th anniversary, the LCSD has spared no effort in planning a series of spectacular celebratory programmes to encourage members of the public to revisit this "urban forest", the natural and historic treasures at the city centre over the past century and a half. In addition, a brand new logo which echoes the theme of "Urban Forest Living as One" has been specially created for the park, bringing a refreshing and vibrant look.

     Completed in 1871, the HKZGB is the oldest park in Hong Kong and initially was a botanical garden. It has been building its zoological collection and was officially renamed the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in 1975. The park now boasts more than 1 000 plant species and 281 animals, of which 36 are endangered wildlife species, and attracts over 1.2 million visitors each year. It will continue to shoulder the tasks of inheritance and education, and efforts will be made to preserve this historical corner.

     To commemorate its 150th anniversary, the HKZBG will launch a series of celebratory programmes, including horticultural and zoological education exhibitions, guided visits, roving exhibitions, thematic talks on greening and conservation, a Christmas carnival, etc, for public participation. For details of celebratory programmes, please visit the thematic website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/parks/hkzbg/anniversary.html) specially designed by the LCSD.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) repatriated 40 Vietnamese illegal immigrants and overstayers to Vietnam today (November 6) through a special flight. These Vietnamese illegal immigrants and overstayers comprise 25 males and 15 females, of whom 36 are unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants, including 18 discharged prisoners.

     Depending on circumstances and need, the ImmD will continue to remove illegal immigrants and overstayers from Hong Kong as soon as practicable through appropriate measures.