The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 3) said that it is following up on a positive imported case of COVID-19 with the preliminary test result involving N501Y mutant strain. As N501Y mutant strain is with high transmissibility, the CHP decided to carry out prudent measures on infection control and prevention to arrange compulsory quarantine for asymptomatic residents of all units on all floors of the building concerned, so as to stop the potential risk of spread of N501Y mutant strain.
 
     The case involves a 28-year-old woman who is a housewife. She took passenger flight UK6395 operated by TATA SIA Airlines (Vistara) from Delhi, India to Hong Kong on April 4 and underwent quarantine at Regal Oriental Hotel from April 4 to 25. Upon completion of quarantine on April 25, she returned to her residence at Beauty Mansion, 69-71A Kimberley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. She sought medical advice at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on April 26, where her sample collected at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Hospital was tested with negative result on COVID-19. In accordance with the requirements of compulsory testing, she underwent the 26th day testing upon arrival in Hong Kong at a community testing centre on April 30 and the result was indeterminate. She was arranged to be admitted to hospital for further testing on May 2. The test result was preliminary positive and she was also tested positive for COVID-19 antibody. Given the possible transmissibility of the patient during her presence in the community from April 25 to May 2, for prudence's sake, in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A), the CHP will transfer asymptomatic residents of all units on all floors of the building (involving about 40 units) to quarantine centres; symptomatic residents will be sent to the hospital for treatment. They will undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 days.
 
     Separately, the CHP is continuing its follow up on confirmed local cases of COVID-19 (11643, 11672 and 11773) with test result involving N501Y mutant strain. Following the further investigations conducted by the Contact Tracing Office, the CHP found that all of the three cases have been to Citygate in Tung Chung on April 11. Cases 11643 and 11672 had patronised a restaurant, Curry Lounge, at Shop S, G/F, SeaView Crescent, Tung Chung on the same day. The Government will issue a compulsory testing notice (CTN) to any person (including visitors and staff) who had been present at the two premises on April 11. The Government reminds relevant persons to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to the CTN.
 
     The CHP said that in view of the threat posed by the mutant strain, it is imperative for people to get vaccinated. As the Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, the CHP appeals to members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves and others. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).

     Police today (May 3) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Kowloon City.

     Wong Man-shun, Gary, aged 45, went missing after he left a caring home on Prince Edward Road West on May 1 morning. Staff of the caring home made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.65 metres tall, 58 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short greyish-white hair. He was last seen wearing a grey jacket and dark-coloured trousers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8038 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (May 5) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Mainland Judgments in Matrimonial and Family Cases (Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement) Bill will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     Meanwhile, the Mercury Control Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     On Member's Bill, the Second Reading debate on the Waterworks (Waterworks Regulations) (Amendment) Bill 2021 will also resume.  If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     On Government motions, the Chief Secretary for Administration will move two proposed resolutions under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance and the Coroners Ordinance respectively. The proposed resolutions are set out in Appendices 1 and 2 respectively.

     In addition, Dr Lo Wai-kwok will move a motion on developing Hong Kong into a regional professional services hub. The motion is set out in Appendix 3. Mr Tony Tse will move an amendment to Dr Lo's motion.

     Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan will move a motion on seizing the opportunities to improve governance. The motion is set out in Appendix 4. Mr Luk Chung-hung will move an amendment to Mr Cheung's motion.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the Webcast system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     Police today (May 3) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.

     Wong Lily, aged 51, went missing after she was last seen at a mall on Yuk Wah Street on April 12 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on May 1.

     She is about 1.64 metres tall, 70 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a long face with yellow complexion and long black hair. She was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt, black shorts, black slippers and carrying two black shoulder bags.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0335 or 9886 0060 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Government today (May 3) said that an amended compulsory testing notice for the 14th round of compulsory testing for staff members of residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs), residential care homes for persons with disabilities (RCHDs) and nursing homes has been issued.
      
     In accordance with section 46(a) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance (Cap. 1), the Secretary for Food and Health has amended the compulsory testing notice issued on April 26, 2021, requiring persons who are employed by and will be on duty at RCHEs, RCHDs, nursing homes and day service units attached to the premises of residential care homes during the period from May 14 to 27, 2021, or who will provide services to residents or users through hire-of-service contracts with residential care homes and the aforementioned units during that period (including full-time, part-time and relief staff), to undergo polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 during the period from April 30 to May 13, 2021, according to the requirements and procedure set out in the amended notice (the Specified Test). However, persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course (i.e. received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine 14 days before the end of the testing period) are not required to undergo the Specified Test.
      
     The staff of the aforementioned institutions may choose the following means to undergo the Specified Test:
 
(1) To undergo the Specified Test in any of the Community Testing Centres (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en), Temporary Testing Centres (if any) (see the list at www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_supportser/sub_ttc), or mobile specimen collection stations (if any) (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) in accordance with the instructions given by the staff at the centre/station;
 
(2) To undergo the Specified Test as arranged by institution operators at a laboratory listed on the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf) and as instructed by the staff of the laboratory;
 
(3) To obtain a specimen bottle from one of the 121 post offices, 47 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority or vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations, collect a deep throat saliva sample in the specimen bottle as per the guidelines provided together with the specimen bottle, and return the specimen bottle with the sample (see the specimen bottles distribution and specimen collection locations and times at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
 
(4) To undergo the Specified Test at general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority; or
 
(5) To self-arrange testing provided by a laboratory listed on the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" at their own expense (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf).
 
     Any person who fails to comply with the testing notice commits an offence and may be subject to a fixed penalty of $5,000. He or she 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.
      
     A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) reminded that staff of the said institutions who would undergo testing at community testing centres should make an advance booking via the community testing centre booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk) for the free testing service. In addition, institution operators should remind their staff members to properly keep the SMS notifications of their test results or their test result reports.
      
     Institution operators are required to keep records of their staff having received the Specified Test and the results within the time frame specified by the Government. They are also required to keep the list of staff members who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course. Institution operators also have to co-operate with Checking Officers (Compulsory Testing) of the SWD who are enforcing the Regulation at residential care homes.
      
     The Government will continue to monitor the epidemic situation and make adjustments to the aforementioned testing policy after taking the overall anti-epidemic measures into account. Although staff members who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course are exempted from the regular compulsory testing, they can still receive free testing service if they voluntarily choose to undergo the test.