An employee was sentenced to imprisonment of two weeks by Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (April 9) for violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (OSHO). The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department (LD) arising from a fatal accident that occurred on February 10, 2019. The related provision stipulates that an employee must, so far as reasonably practicable, take care for the safety and health of persons who are at the employee's workplace and who may be affected by the employee's acts or omissions at work. The imprisonment sentence is to run concurrently with the imprisonment sentence imposed on the employee for a convicted charge of "causing death by dangerous driving" laid for the same fatal accident case.
      
     The fatal accident occurred on a village road in Nam Wa Po, Tai Po. While a lorry mounted with an elevating work platform was travelling along the village road for street lamp cleaning work, its work platform was kept in a raised position. The raised work platform struck nearby overhead cables and was deformed. A worker who stayed on the raised work platform was trapped by the deformed work platform. He sustained a serious head injury and died on the same day. 
      
     The LD's spokesman said, "We will not tolerate any offence of failing to comply with the requirements under the OSHO, and will spare no efforts in prosecuting persons who defy the law."

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (April 9), 12 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 11 186 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 645 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 197 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 126 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 20 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which seven patients are in critical condition, three are in serious condition and the remaining 116 patients are in stable condition.
 
     In addition, a 69-year-old male patient (case number: 9612) with chronic diseases was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on January 17 due to a cough and sore throat. He subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the isolation ward for treatment. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate and he eventually succumbed at 3.58am today. Moreover, an 83-year-old female patient (case number: 9953) with chronic diseases sought consultation at the AED of QEH on January 22 due to a fever and shortness of breath. She subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the isolation ward for treatment. Her condition continued to deteriorate and she eventually succumbed at 6.45am today. Including the above patients, 201 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.
 
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows:
 

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (April 9) met with Hong Kong members of national organisations at a briefing session to continue to explain the improvements to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s electoral system. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, also attended and addressed the questions raised by participants.

     Mr Cheung stressed that the amendment of Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress would improve the electoral system, ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong" and safeguarding the overall interests of society. National sovereignty, security and development interests would be fully protected. The HKSAR's constitutional order established according to the Constitution and the Basic Law would be fully safeguarded. It will also ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

     Mr Cheung reiterated that the Election Committee (EC) is the core element of the improvements to the electoral system. The membership of the EC is being enlarged to 1 500 in five sectors, including the new fifth sector that comprises the Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress and Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as Ex-officio Members, as well as some EC members returned through election among Hong Kong members of the relevant national organisations. All in all, the enlarged EC will cover more representatives from different sectors and all walks of life, better representing the overall and fundamental interests of society.

     He encouraged participants to brief people in different sectors of the community on the improvements to the electoral system to deepen their understanding of the new electoral system as well as its necessity and urgency.

        

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, today (April 9) met with representatives of the Kowloon Federation of Associations to brief them on the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and its Voting Procedures as approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, so as to gain their support for the amendments.
      
     Mr Tsui said improving the electoral system of Hong Kong to ensure that the system upholds the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, and to fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" will help effectively enhance the governance capability of the HKSAR, thereby assuring the steadfast and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle as well as the long-term stability of the city.
      
     Mr Tsui emphasised the importance, necessity and urgency of the amendments and said the HKSAR Government will spare no effort in taking forward the work on amending the relevant local electoral laws to strive for early and full implementation of the new electoral system. He hoped the attendees will recognise and support relevant work of the Government.     

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has received notification from the Honorary Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman (Oman) in Hong Kong that HKSAR passport holders may visit Oman visa-free for a stay of up to 10 days upon arrival with a confirmed hotel reservation, health insurance and a return air ticket. HKSAR passport holders are advised to consult the relevant embassy or consulate for detailed information before travelling.
 
     An Immigration Department spokesman said, "Oman is along the Belt and Road. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, this visa-free arrangement will bring greater travel convenience to the travellers of Hong Kong after the epidemic and strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places."
 
     Including Oman, 168 countries/territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders. Please visit the following website for details:
www.immd.gov.hk/eng/service/travel_document/visa_free_access.html
or scan the QR code in the attachment.
 
     As the situation of COVID-19 around the world is evolving rapidly, the Red Outbound Travel Alert issued by the Government of the HKSAR on March 17, 2020, is currently in force for all overseas countries/territories. Members of the public are strongly urged to avoid any non-essential travel outside Hong Kong. Currently, most countries/territories have also implemented different entry requirements and preventive measures against the pandemic. For details, please refer to the announcements of local governments.