Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 9) will be cancelled.

     â€‹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 (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I) to maintain the social distancing measures currently in place. The above directions and specifications take effect at 0.00am on June 10 for a period of 14 days till June 23 (the specified period).
 
     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said, "A number of local cases with the N501Y mutant strain have been recorded in Hong Kong recently, and the source of infection has yet to be identified. To guard against a rebound of the epidemic situation, it is not appropriate to relax social distancing measures at the moment. The social distancing measures currently in place will be maintained for 14 days.
 
     "Facing the challenges posed by mutant strains, there is pressing need for receiving vaccination. The Government will continue to adjust the social distancing measures based on the principle of 'vaccine bubble' taking into account the epidemic development. In addition to the protection received, people who have completed their vaccination course would also continue to be subject to more lenient requirement under the various social distancing measures."
 
     The details of the requirements and restrictions in the specified period (see Annex 1 for requirements and restrictions under Cap. 599F) are as follows:
 
Catering business
 
(1) The existing requirements and restrictions applicable to catering business will be maintained during the specified period. Except for bars or pubs which are subject to other requirements, all catering business must operate according to one operating mode among Types A, B, C and D Mode of Operation, with details in Annex 2.
 
Bars and pubs
 
(2) The existing requirements and restrictions applicable to bars and pubs will be maintained during the specified period, with details in Annex 2.
 
Scheduled premises
 
(3) During the specified period, the existing requirements and restrictions applicable to the scheduled premises under Cap. 599F will be maintained, including that the following scheduled premises under Cap. 599F can operate according to the specified operation mode if specified measures are adopted (details in Annex 1). Otherwise, they should continue to be closed:
(a) bathhouses;
(b) premises (commonly known as party rooms) that are maintained or intended to be maintained for hire for holding social gatherings;
(c) establishments (commonly known as clubs or nightclubs) that are open late into the night, usually for drinking, and dancing or other entertainment;
(d) karaoke establishments; and
(e) mahjong-tin kau premises.
 
(4) During the specified period, the existing requirements and restrictions applicable to other scheduled premises under Cap. 599F will be maintained. These scheduled premises can be opened when the relevant requirements and restrictions are fulfilled (including arranging for all staff members involved in the operation of the premises to undergo a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 once every 14 days, or complete a COVID-19 vaccination course as an alternative).
 
(5) Persons responsible for carrying on catering businesses and managers of scheduled premises that contravene the statutory requirements under Cap. 599F would have committed a criminal offence. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. In addition, persons who are present at any premises of a catering business or any scheduled premises have to comply with directions applicable to them. Non-compliance with the relevant directions would be an offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000. The liability may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. In particular, a staff member or a customer who makes false declarations or provides false information under the relevant measures would be regarded as non-compliant with the directions issued under Cap. 599F and would be subject to a fixed penalty of $5,000. Any contravention against group gathering requirements within a premises under Cap. 599F would be handled according to the requirements under Cap. 599G, which means that participants of the group gathering would be subject to a fixed penalty of $5,000.
 
Group gathering
 
(6) Unless exempted, the prohibition on group gatherings of more than four persons in public places will continue during the specified period. The requirement is also applicable to group gatherings in catering business and scheduled premises regulated under Cap. 599F in which the relevant requirements or restrictions are not complied with.
 
(7) Any person who participates in a prohibited group gathering; organises a prohibited group gathering; owns, controls or operates the place of such a gathering; and knowingly allows the taking place of such a gathering commits an offence under Cap. 599G. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. Persons who participate in a prohibited group gathering may discharge liability for the offence by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. A staff member or a customer who makes false declarations or provides false information under the relevant measures may be regarded as participating in a prohibited group gathering and subject to a fixed penalty of $5,000.
 
Mask-wearing requirement
 
(8) The mandatory mask-wearing requirement under Cap. 599I will be extended during the specified period. A person must wear a mask at all times when the person is boarding or on board a public transport carrier, is entering or present in an MTR paid area, or is entering or present in a specified public place (i.e. all public places, save for outdoor public places in country parks and special areas as defined in section 2 of the Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208)).
 
(9) Under Cap. 599I, if a person does not wear a mask in accordance with the requirement, an authorised person may deny that person from boarding a public transport carrier or entering the area concerned, as well as require that person to wear a mask and disembark from the carrier or leave the said area. A person in contravention of the relevant provision commits an offence and the maximum penalty is a fine at level 3 ($10,000). In addition, authorised public officers may issue fixed penalty notices to persons who do not wear a mask in accordance with the requirement and such persons may discharge liability for the offence by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000.

     The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has been implemented for 103 days since February 26, 2021.
 
     So far, about 2 716 000 doses of vaccines have been administered under the Vaccination Programme. Details are as follows:
 

* The numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.
 
     In the 24 hours ending at 8pm today (June 8), about 36 400 persons have received vaccination and about 34 600 new vaccination bookings have been made online. Details are as follows:
 

* The numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.
 
     In the 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were nine cases of ambulance transfer to hospital from CVCs or designated general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority. They were sent to hospital after experiencing common side effects after vaccination and were in stable condition. Six of them were discharged, one person was admitted for observation and two persons were discharged against medical advice.

     The first thematic marine park visitor centre in Hong Kong, the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park Visitor Centre (the Centre), opened today (June 8). The Centre is located in Sai Kung West Country Park, adjacent to Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai; and the Director of Architectural Services, Ms Winnie Ho.
 
     Under the management of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Centre is a hub disseminating information of other attractions in the surroundings of Hoi Ha and introducing the progress of ecological studies conducted by the AFCD in various marine parks and a marine reserve, with the aim of raising public understanding of the functions and management of marine parks and public awareness on marine conservation.
 
     An AFCD spokesman said, "Visitors can take part in an interactive display 'Into the Sea', where virtual reality (VR) technology is applied for visitors to explore the underwater world of marine parks. Another display 'Hoi Ha Coastal Safari' in augmented reality (AR) features the rich marine biodiversity in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park."
 
     The spokesman said that the exhibition hall in the Centre displays information about marine park management, conservation measures, marine ecology, the history of Hoi Ha, and marine threats for educational purposes. Guided tours and workshops will also be arranged in the future, subject to the development of the epidemic situation.
 
     The Centre also adopts a number of green features, including installation of solar photovoltaic panels, a rainwater collection system and a bio-treatment plant, showcasing efforts in carbon reduction as well as minimising the impact on nature. The Centre has been awarded with several prizes including the President's Prize of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 2019/20 in recognition of its excellence in architectural design. 
 
     For details, please visit the AFCD website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_vc/cou_vis_mar_vc.html.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secrectariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport visited Sung Wong Toi and To Kwa Wan Stations of the Tuen Ma Line (TML) today (June 8) to better understand the station facilities and relevant arrangements before the full commissioning of TML.
 
     Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer, MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), Dr Jacob Kam, the Managing Director, Operations and Mainland Business, MTRCL, Mr Adi Lau and the Operations Director, MTRCL, Dr Tony Lee, Members first visited Sung Wong Toi Station.  As a large number of relics were found during the construction of the station, archaeological elements are included in the station design.  Showcases are provided in the concourse of the station for displaying the archaeological finds. In addition, to prepare for the future in-situ reinstatement of a well dated to the Song-Yuan period above the station, part of the station roof will be converted to a transparent panel, allowing passengers to view the bottom of the well.
 
     Members later boarded a train to To Kwa Wan Station and toured its platform and concourse.  Members learnt that the station was designed with single-sided platforms due to underground space constraints.
 
     TML is approximately 56km long, connecting Wu Kai Sha Station and Tuen Mun Station, which will be the longest railway line in Hong Kong. Sung Wong Toi Station and To Kwa Wan Station will be commissioned on June 27, linking up the former Ma On Shan Line/TML Phase 1 and West Rail Line.

     Members participating in the visit were the Deputy Panel Chairman, Mr Chan Han-pan; Panel members Mr Michael Tien, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Mr Poon Siu-ping, Dr Junius Ho, Mr Wilson Or, Mr Lau Kwok-fan and Dr Cheng Chung-tai; as well as non-Panel members Ms Starry Lee and Mr Vincent Cheng.