The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

Exchange Fund Notes Tender Results
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* "Pro rata ratio" refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant's tendered amount at the "lowest price accepted" level.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, May 21, the CHP was investigating one additional confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 830 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 829 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported case is an imported case.
 
     The CHP continues to investigate an overseas case involving an 18-year-old female patient as announced yesterday. After notification on May 19 by the Guangdong health authority, further information revealed that she had stayed at the Cosco Inn, Kennedy Town, from April 29 to May 5. The premise will be included in the Compulsory Testing Notice (CTN) today.

     A total of 30 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (May 7 to 20), including five local cases of which one is from an unknown source.

     Subsequent to the announcement by the CHP on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with the N501Y mutant strain, the CHP reminded that 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 days 3, 7, 12 and 19 following the announcement of the relevant confirmed cases by the DH. A CTN was issued on May 7 (www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125124e/egn202125124278.pdf). They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day.

     Specified persons in relation to the following specified premises are reminded to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the CTN tomorrow:
–   Beauty Mansion, 69-71A Kimberley Road, Yau Tsim Mong; and
–   Block R, Allway Gardens, 2 On Yat Street, Tsuen Wan.

     Members of the public can check the deadlines of compulsory testing for respective specified premises as stipulated in the aforementioned CTN on the Government's website (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf).

     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to the CTNs. The Regulation also requires all household members of close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within a specified period according to CTNs published in the Gazette. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop and undergo testing as soon as possible.
 
     The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).
 
     The CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with everyday tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.
 
     The spokesman said, "Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases including mutant strains reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.

     "The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.  Moreover, vaccination may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19 and generally speaking, vaccines can also reduce the chance of transmission by those who have been vaccinated. People vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine can also generate herd immunity. Please get vaccinated as soon as possible and book your vaccination at the website (booking.covidvaccine.gov.hk/forms/index.jsp).

     "As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps). After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."
 
     Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 
• 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;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

     The Islands District Office and the Sham Shui Po District Office, together with the relevant police districts and the Department of Health (DH) conducted enforcement operations today (May 21) respectively at a building in Tung Chung and Sham Shui Po, which were included in separate compulsory testing notices earlier. The operations started at around 7am today. The operation in Sham Shui Po ended at around 10am today while the operation in Tung Chung ended at around 11am today.
 
     Starting from around 7am today, persons subject to compulsory testing of Tower 11, Carmel Cove, Caribbean Coast, 1 Kin Tung Road in Tung Chung and 37-39 Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po, were requested to provide the SMS notification received through a mobile phone or related certification containing the results of COVID-19 tests, to show that they had taken such tests as required pursuant to the compulsory testing notices of the two buildings within the specified period issued by the Government earlier on. The Government arranged for staff to verify the testing certifications of the persons subject to compulsory testing at the entrances/exits of the two buildings, and conducted checks in the buildings to verify whether persons subject to compulsory testing had undergone testing in compliance with the requirement.

     During the operation in Tung Chung, test records of around 970 persons were checked. Among them, 18 persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. During the operation in Sham Shui Po, test records of around 90 persons were checked. Among them, 14 persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. The Government has issued fixed penalties of $5,000 and/or compulsory testing orders to them, requiring them to undergo testing within a specified period. Non-compliance with a compulsory testing order is an offence, and offenders are liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The Government reiterates that the aim of issuing a compulsory testing notice is to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community as soon as possible to protect overall public health and safety. Persons subject to testing under a compulsory testing notice 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.

     The Government wishes to thank the many residents who had complied with the compulsory testing notice for their co-operation to fight against the virus together. The Government will continue to enforce the law strictly. All persons subject to compulsory testing should comply with the compulsory testing notice. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notice may be liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Non-compliance with the order is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The Islands District Office and the Sham Shui Po District Office are grateful for the support and co-operation of the Police and the DH to enable the enforcement action to be carried out smoothly. The Government understands that the enforcement process may cause some inconvenience to the residents, but hopes that the residents can understand.

     The Government declared by notices in the Gazette today (May 21) the existence of 12 vacant elected seats in the Southern District Council Tin Wan Constituency, the Tsuen Wan District Council Hoi Bun Constituency, the Kwun Tong District Council Tsui Ping Constituency, the Yuen Long District Council Tin Heng Constituency and Kingswood North Constituency, the Eastern District Council Yue Wan Constituency and Tanner Constituency, the Sai Kung District Council Yan Ying Constituency, the Tai Po District Council San Fu Constituency, Kwong Fuk and Plover Cove Constituency, and Tai Po Hui Constituency as well as the Kwai Tsing District Council Shek Yam Constituency.
           
     The nominations of Ms Yuen Ka Wai Tiffany, an elected member of the Southern District Council Tin Wan Constituency, and Mr Shum Lester, an elected member of the Tsuen Wan District Council Hoi Bun Constituency, were invalidated by the Returning Officers (ROs) in the discontinued 2020 Legislative Council General Election as they were determined by the ROs not in compliance with the declaration requirement under section 40(1)(b)(i) of the Legislative Council Ordinance (Cap. 542) to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. In accordance with section 24(2A)(b) of the amended District Councils Ordinance (Cap. 547) (the Ordinance), they are disqualified from holding office since today (the day when the amended Ordinance takes effect). Pursuant to section 26(c) of the Ordinance, their offices have become vacant since today.
           
     The Court of First Instance of the High Court ruled on February 2, 2021, that Mr Hung Chun Hin, an elected member of the Kwun Tong District Council Tsui Ping Constituency, was not duly elected. He lodged an appeal to the Court of Final Appeal and later filed an application to withdraw the application for leave to appeal, and the withdrawal application was granted by the Court of Final Appeal on May 4, 2021. In accordance with section 26(d) of the Ordinance, his office has become vacant since May 4, 2021. 
                
     Moreover, following the resignation of elected members set out in the table below, pursuant to section 26(b) of the Ordinance, their offices have become vacant since the dates specified in the table below.
 

     A dedicated webpage was launched on the website of the Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (May 21) to provide useful information about the avoidance of water overcharge situations for landlords and tenants of sub-divided units.
      
     In light of the recent enactment of the Waterworks (Waterworks Regulations) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, the amended Regulation 47 of the Waterworks Regulations (WWR) only allows a registered consumer of the WSD (usually the landlords) to recover from the occupants of the premises (usually the tenants) the water charge paid to the WSD. The amendment, which has taken effect, strengthens the protection of tenants of sub-divided units from being overcharged for water. If the amount recovered by the landlord exceeds the water charge paid to the WSD, the landlord shall be guilty of an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of HK$10,000. 
      
     To avoid any dispute arising from the recovery of a water charge, landlords of sub-divided units should discuss and agree with their tenants a suitable and acceptable apportionment. Landlords or tenants may also consider applying to the WSD for the installation of separate water meters for sub-divided units to enable tenants to pay water charges based on their water consumption. 
      
     The WSD has all along been encouraging the public to report unscrupulous landlords for overcharging tenants of sub-divided units for water. A relevant option has been available under its enquiry hotline on 2824 5000. After calling the hotline, the public can choose a language and then press "7" to select the option of "Report Water Overcharge of Sub‑divided Units" for reporting to staff direct.
      
     Meanwhile, the WSD will continue to conduct proactive patrols in suspected sub-divided units to investigate any situation of overcharging for the use of water. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence.
      
     In addition to disseminating the information on website, the WSD will step up the publicity on combating water overcharges to tenants of sub-divided units through a series of activities, including meeting with relevant groups and estate agency organisations, as well as distributing leaflets and posters to tenants.