The Government will gazette directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibit… read more
The 14-day Universal Community Testing Programme (UCTP) was successfully concluded yesterday (September 14). UCTP has identified asymptomatic patients and cut the community transmission chain as far and as early as possible and achieved the objective of early identification, early isolation and early treatment. It prevents further transmission of the virus for better control of the third wave of the epidemic.
A spokesman of the Government said, “The third wave of COVID-19 epidemic has slowly subsided from its peak in late July. UCTP had effectively identified asymptomatic patients in the community and cut the community transmission chain. A total of at least 42 patients in the community have been identified through testing under UCTP and tracing of close contacts of these confirmed cases, who were arranged for isolation and treatment. Without UCTP, these patients would have continued to carry out various activities in the community leading to further community outbreak and clusters.”
Since its launch on September 1, a total of about 1 783 000 specimens had been collected under UCTP for COVID-19 nucleic acid test, among which 46 were tested preliminary positive and were referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Department of Health (DH) for confirmatory tests as well as subsequent follow-up and announcement. As at 3pm of today (September 15), DH had completed the confirmatory tests for 45 specimens including 32 new confirmed cases, five cases which were concurrently identified through tracing of close contacts and eight re-positive cases of recovered patients. As regards the remaining specimen, its quantity was insufficient in carrying out confirmatory test. The Centre for Health Protection had separately followed-up this case.
Among the 32 new confirmed cases identified under UCTP, 13 of them were asymptomatic and 20 of them were local cases with unknown source of infection. This reflects that through UCTP asymptomatic patients were identified and community transmission chain curbed. Among the 87 close contacts of the confirmed cases identified under UCTP, there were so far five confirmed cases. There might be more patients identified following further tracing of close contacts. This shows that UCTP has helped early isolation of confirmed cases and quarantine of their close contacts. Together with the five other cases identified concurrently through UCTP and tracing of close contacts, so far 42 confirmed cases in total were identified, with their transmission chain cut, through UCTP directly or indirectly. Statistics relating to epidemiological investigation under the UCTP are at Annex.
The spokesman said, “The Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government expressed gratitude to some 6 000 healthcare personnel and some 4 000 serving and retired civil servants supporting the arrangement of UCTP, as well as the some 2 000 personnel supporting information and technology, 24-hour hotline, logistics and safety management. The SAR Government also expressed sincere gratitude to the Central People’s Government (CPG) for deploying the Mainland nucleic acid test support team consisting of some 570 members and providing necessary equipment and resources for UCTP. UCTP attached importance to protect personal privacy and security management for specimens, with specifically designed registration system and logistics system applying multiple technologies, to ensure all specimens were safely delivered to laboratories from testing centres.”
Testing is an integral part of the strategy in fighting the virus. To tackle the third wave of the epidemic, the Government adopts a three-pronged approach in virus testing: (1) ongoing testing for epidemiological surveillance and investigation conducted by the DH and the Hospital Authority; (2) testing for high-risk and high-exposure groups as well as specific personnel for critical infrastructure and services since mid-July; and (3) the one-off UCTP in early September launched by the SAR Government with the support from CPG.
After the third wave of the epidemic and conclusion of UCTP, Hong Kong has since January conducted more than 3.23 million tests (including 2.88 million which were conducted since July). That is, on average around 430 000 tests were conducted per million population and 650 tests were carried out per confirmed cases. On this basis the volume of test conducted in Hong Kong is higher than places like Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan. It shows that the use of testing as a tool for disease prevention and control has yielded certain positive results. The SAR Government will take into account experts’ advice and collaborate with medical schools of universities in reviewing and summing up the work and experience gained in the prevention and control work from the third wave, including results of UCTP and other surveillance work, to map out the strategies in tackling the next wave of epidemic including that for testing.
The participation of individual members of the public contributes to the success of UCTP. Their support protect themselves and others by cutting the viral transmission chain together, paving way for relaxation of social distancing measures in an orderly manner, and for the gradual resumption to normal life and economic activities. Currently the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has improved though has yet to be completely stabilised. While the social distancing measures have been relaxed in a gradually and orderly manner, each and every members of the public should stay guarded and maintain good personal hygiene as well as precautionary measures to avoid any drastic rebound in local epidemic situation and to sustain the hard earned normal life and economic activities. read more
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, in his capacity as the deputy head of the China delegation, delivered a video message on the situation in Hong Kong and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law) at the 45th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held in Geneva, Switzerland today (September 15).
He stressed that National Security Law is designed to bolster the successful “one country, two systems” principle, which will continue to drive Hong Kong’s progress.
　　He underlined that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China. He explained that the National Security Law was enacted to address the increasing threat to national security in Hong Kong posed by the escalating violence by rioters during the social unrest last year. “Effective measures must be taken to restore safety and stability,” he said.
“The Law is vital in bringing Hong Kong back on track and safeguarding our country’s sovereignty, security and development interests,” he said.
He stressed that the Law has been effective in restoring stability so far. Advocacy of “Hong Kong independence” and collusion with external forces have visibly subsided, as have acts of violence and blatant defiance of law and order.
In addition, he pointed out that the National Security Law seeks to preserve Hong Kong’s core values, including rights and freedoms, the rule of law and judicial independence, while fundamental rights and freedoms remain intact under the Basic Law and the relevant provisions of international covenants as applied to Hong Kong.
He said that as almost all countries have their own national security laws, “it is unthinkable therefore that our national security law should be a cause for concern for some countries.” He called on the international community not to adopt a double standard.
“Hong Kong will continue to forge ahead as a vibrant, open and international financial and business centre, with a prosperous and stable future,” Mr Cheung concluded. read more
Following is the full text of the video message of the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the 45th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council held in Geneva, Switzerland today (September 15):
Madam President,
Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China. The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was enacted to address the increasing threat to national security in Hong Kong posed by the escalating violence by rioters during the social unrest last year. Effective measures must be taken to restore safety and stability.
The National Security Law is designed to bolster the successful “One Country, Two Systems” which will continue to drive Hong Kong’s progress. It seeks to preserve Hong Kong’s core values including rights and freedoms, the rule of law and judicial independence.
Almost all countries have their own national security laws. It is unthinkable therefore that our National Security Law should be a cause for concern for some countries. The international community should be fair and not adopt a double standard.
The Law has been effective in restoring stability so far. Advocacies of “Hong Kong independence” and collusions with external forces have visibly subsided, as have acts of violence and blatant defiance of law and order.
The Law is vital in bringing Hong Kong back on track and safeguarding our country’s sovereignty, security and development interests. In implementing the Law, the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people will be protected and respected. Our fundamental rights and freedoms remain intact under the Basic Law and the relevant provisions of international covenants as applied to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong will continue to forge ahead as a vibrant, open and international financial and business centre, with a prosperous and stable future.
Thank you.
​Hong Kong Customs today (September 15) arrested a female director and a saleslady of a beauty parlour who were suspected of having applied a false trade description to a beauty service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a saleslady of a beauty parlour had made a false claim to a customer that the selected beauty service was not included in a voucher purchased online and requested the customer to pay an additional charge. The consumer, however, discovered later that the beauty service was covered by the terms and conditions of the voucher.
After investigation, Customs officers today arrested two women, aged 38 and 39.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested women have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.
Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
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