Tag Archives: China

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Serv… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 0.00am, April 30, the CHP was investigating four additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 775 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 774 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, two are imported cases and one is a local case with unknown sources, while the remaining one case is epidemiologically linked with a local case.
   
     The local case with unknown sources involves a 39-year-old woman (case number: 11773) who developed cough on April 23. She attended a private medical practitioner on April 26. She underwent testing at a Community Testing Centre on April 27 and tested positive. She is a foreign domestic helper.
 
     As the case involves the N501Y mutant strain, the CHP carried out prudent measures on infection control to stop the potential risk of spread of the N501Y mutant strain. Compulsory quarantine for asymptomatic residents was arranged last night for units on all floors of the building (involving about 400 units) where the patient resided (Tower 11, Carmel Cove, Caribbean Coast, 1 Kin Tung Road, Tung Chung). They will undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 days. Also, the CHP urged the household contacts of the close contacts to do testing as soon as possible and stay at home until the close contacts test negative.  
 
     Meanwhile, the five premises that the positive case 11773 had patronised were included in the compulsory testing notice, and people who have stayed there are required to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the compulsory testing notice.
 
     A total of 152 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (April 16 to 29), including 33 local cases (including one possibly local) of which 15 are from unknown sources.
 
     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 compulsory testing notice. 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 compulsory testing notices 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 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.
 
     “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. read more

     The Government Gazette published today (April 30) contains a Legal Notice to the effect that the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury has authorised a change in the rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certifica… read more

     The Chief Executive in Council has authorised the proposed sewerage works for "Outlying Islands Sewerage Stage 2 – Extension of sewerage system to other unsewered villages in Mui Wo – Village Sewerage Works at Ma Po T… read more

     â€‹The Transport Department (TD) today (April 30) reminded members of the public that the first departures of the West Rail Line (WRL) and the Tuen Ma Line (TML) Phase 1 on May 2 (Sunday) will be adjusted to around 7.30am, to facilitate the full line train tests for the full commissioning of the TML.
      
     The TD has co-ordinated with the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) and the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) to arrange special transport services in the early morning of May 2 to meet passenger demand in relevant districts. Details of the arrangements are as follows:
 
MTR free shuttle bus service
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     Ten free MTR shuttle bus routes (see Annex 1) will commence operations at two to 10-minute headways from around 5.15am on May 2. Three routes, namely K99, W3 and M24, will cover every station on the WRL and the TML Phase 1 respectively, while the remaining seven express routes, namely D1, D2, W1, W2, M17, T1 and T2, will provide direct services to connect to the East Rail Line and the Tung Chung Line. These routes can also assist passengers to interchange with other public transport services.
 
Heavy rail service
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     The TD and the MTRCL will closely monitor the services of heavy rail lines, in particular the East Rail Line, the Tung Chung Line, the Tsuen Wan Line and the Kwun Tong Line, and service enhancements for the railway lines concerned will be arranged whenever necessary to meet the additional passenger demand.
 
Light rail service
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     To cater for the passenger demand in Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long, the MTRCL will enhance the light rail train services by deploying additional coupled set light rail vehicles in the early morning of May 2.
 
KMB services
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     KMB will closely monitor the passenger demand for a number of KMB routes (see Annex 2) in the early morning of May 2, and will arrange service enhancements as necessary.
 
     The Emergency Transport Coordination Centre of the TD will closely monitor the traffic and public transport arrangements with relevant government departments and public transport operators in the morning. Members of the public are advised to allow more travelling time and plan their journeys in advance. Details of the latest traffic news are available at the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or in its mobile application “HKeMobility”. read more