In response to media enquiries regarding the bar or pub mode of operation in the latest specifications and directions issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to catering business under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 11) that to tie in with the implementation of relevant requirements, the FEHD has uploaded to its thematic webpage some frequently asked questions (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble_faq_bar.html) on the first day (June 10) of the specified period, with the key points as follows.
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     If a bar/pub ceases to operate as a bar/pub (i.e. exclusively or mainly used for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquors for consumption in the premises) and changes to operate a business that mainly provides meals (the drinks sold or supplied should mainly be non-alcoholic and the liquors served are only incidental when having meals) during the specified period, the premises may then choose to operate under a catering business mode of operation (i.e. type A, B, C or D). The premises must make the decision upon the commencement of the specified period. If the premises was required to take measures to reduce the risk of transmission due to non-compliance with the relevant requirements previously, it must make the decision after those measures required to be taken have been completed. Once it has so decided to operate in a catering business mode of operation, it may not change to operate in a bar/pub mode of operation during the specified period.
         
     Similarly, once having taken a decision to operate in a bar/pub mode of operation, the premises cannot change to operate in a catering business mode of operation during the specified period.
         
     In addition, if a bar/pub chooses to operate in a catering business mode of operation, it is still subject to regulation by its food business licence or the relevant instrument. The types of food that may be sold must be those that are permitted under its licence or the relevant instrument.
         
     Catering premises and bars/pubs must display a notice with the specifications and content specified under the Cap. 599F directions round-the-clock at the entrance of its premises during the specified period. Templates of the relevant notices may be downloaded at the FEHD's thematic webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble_download.html).
         
     The spokesman stressed that the above measures should not be regarded as relaxation arrangements, and strongly appealed to operators of catering premises and bars/pubs to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. The FEHD will step up inspections, and, if non-compliance is detected, will take stringent enforcement actions.  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 11) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) at a kindergarten in Kowloon Tong, and appealed to members of the public and staff of institutions to stay alert and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.
 
     The outbreak involves 17 children, comprising 10 boys and seven girls between 3 and 4 years old, and three female staff members. They developed cough, runny nose and sore throat since April 30. Sixteen of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. They are now in stable condition.
 
     Officers of the CHP have advised the school to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory infections. The school has been put under medical surveillance. In addition, since the symptoms of URTI are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence's sake, the school was covered in the compulsory testing notice (CTN) on May 3 to exclude the possibility of COVID-19 infection. The school has already suspended teaching activities for at least five days for cleaning and executing the CTN.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 
• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• 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;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
 
     Members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, should wear a face mask and consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.

     The Government announced today (June 11) that Ms Alice Law Shing-mui, the Managing Director (MD) of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA), has proceeded on final leave on June 10, 2021, before completing her contract with the MPFA. As the recruitment of the new MD is still in progress, the Chief Executive (CE), under section 6 of Schedule 1A to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485) (MPFSO), has appointed Mr Cheng Yan-chee, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Executive Director (ED) of the MPFA, to act in the office of the MD of the MPFA with effect from June 10, 2021, until further notice.  
 
     "Mr Cheng has been an ED of the MPFA since 2013. He is familiar with the operation of the MPFA and can assist the Management Board of the MPFA in its discharge of statutory functions during this interim period," the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said.
 
     Mr Hui added, "With appreciation for her dedicated services to the MPFA, I wish Ms Law every success in her future endeavours."
 
     At the same time, the CE, under section 6R of the MPFSO, has ceased the appointment of Ms Law as the Deputy Chairperson of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Advisory Committee with effect from June 10, 2021.

     The Financial Leaders Forum, chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, held its 16th meeting today (June 11).
 
     Members were briefed by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and financial regulators on the legislative proposals of introducing a fund re-domiciliation mechanism in Hong Kong. Members agreed that the proposals would help attract more investment funds to set foot in Hong Kong, entrenching Hong Kong's position as an international asset and wealth management centre.

     The Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) briefed members on the latest position of their study on a possible listing regime for special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in Hong Kong. Members noted that the HKEX will consult the market on concrete proposals in the third quarter of 2021.
 
     The FSTB and financial regulators also gave an account to members on their work in examining how to further enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international financial centre.

     In addition, members noted the latest progress and key legislative proposals to take forward the eMPF Platform project. As a public utility and sophisticated infrastructure in the financial sector, the eMPF Platform will allow room for fee reduction for the benefit of scheme members through enhanced operational efficiency and economies of scale. The Government and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority will continue to work at full steam to take forward the development of the eMPF Platform in collaboration with stakeholders.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Details of the meetings of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees to be held in the LegCo Complex during the week from June 14 to 18 are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the LegCo Calendar on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public can watch or listen to the meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meetings at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.