The Central and Western District Office together with the Central District of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) conducted an enforcement operation today (March 26) at two buildings in Central and Western District, which were included in compulsory testing notices earlier. The operation started at around 7am and ended at around 10.30am today.
      
     Starting from around 7am today, persons subject to compulsory testing of Albron Court, 99 Caine Road, and Alassio, 100 Caine Road, Central and Western District, 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 requirements.
      
     During the operation conducted at Albron Court, test records of around 250 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. Among them, one person was found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. As for the operation conducted at Alassio, test records of around 240 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. Among them, six persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. The Government has issued 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 persons subject to compulsory testing 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 Central and Western District Office is grateful for the support and co-operation of the Police, the CHP and the AMS 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 Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) announced today (March 26) the rating results of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cylinder Distributor Safety Performance Recognition Scheme for 2020 for public reference.

     All the 163 distributors under the five registered gas supply companies supplying LPG cylinders in Hong Kong joined the Scheme. Among the participating distributors, 55 attained the highest level of safety performance, the gold rating, while 21 and 87 received silver and bronze ratings respectively. Compared with last year, one more distributor has attained the gold rating.

     Under the Scheme, independent auditing companies commissioned by the registered gas supply companies rated the distributors based on their performance in various aspects such as LPG cylinder delivery arrangements, safety inspection of gas appliances, record keeping of customer receipts, employee training and maintaining gas safety operation records. The rating results were verified by the EMSD.

     Distributors will display the Scheme's logo and the rating certificate outside and inside their shops respectively for easy identification by the general public.

     Organised by the EMSD and registered gas supply companies, the Scheme aims to further enhance the safety performance of the LPG cylinder trade. Details of the Scheme and the ratings of LPG cylinder distributors are available at the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/media/lpgcdsprs) and the EMSD mobile application "E&M Connect".

    

     The Government announced in the Gazette today (March 26) appointments to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Advisory Committee (MPFSAC) and the Process Review Panel in relation to the Regulation of Mandatory Provident Fund Intermediaries (PRP).
 
     The Financial Secretary (FS), in exercise of the authority under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485) (MPFSO) delegated to him by the Chief Executive (CE), has appointed Ms Loretta Fong Wan-huen, Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi and Ms Helen Zee as members of the MPFSAC. He also re-appointed seven incumbent members of the MPFSAC, namely, Mr Karson Choi Ka-tsan, Ms Chow Yuen-yee, Mr Lee Wing-man, Dr Pan Pey-chyou, Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung, Ms Winnie Wong Chi-shun and Mr Emil Yu Chen-on.
 
     The appointments and re-appointments will take effect on March 30, 2021, for a term of two years until March 29, 2023, both dates inclusive.
 
     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, welcomed the above appointments. He said, "Members of the MPFSAC come from different sectors and are responsible for offering advices to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) on the operation of the MPFSO as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of the MPFA. The appointment of Ms Fong, Dr Mak and Ms Zee will add diversity of expertise to the MPFSAC. I am confident that the MPFSAC will continue to tender wise counsel to the MPFA in its pursuit of enhancement to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System." Mr Hui also expressed gratitude to Mr Kenneth Leung Kai-cheong, the outgoing member of the MPFSAC.
 
     At the same time, the FS, in exercise of the authority delegated to him by the CE, has re-appointed Mr Allen Lau Kai-hung and Ms Grace Yu Ho-wun as members of the PRP. The re-appointments will take effect from April 1, 2021, for a term of two years until March 31, 2023, both dates inclusive.
 
     Announcing the re-appointments, Mr Hui said, "Since its establishment in November 2013, the PRP has played a vital role in enhancing the regulatory regime in relation to MPF intermediaries by reviewing the operations, internal procedures and guidelines of the MPFA in respect of the MPF intermediaries regulation. Leveraging on the professional knowledge of members, I am confident that the PRP will continue to provide constructive suggestions to the MPFA on enhancing the effectiveness of the regulatory regime on MPF intermediaries."
     
     Following is the membership of the MPFSAC with effect from March 30, 2021:
 
Chairman
———–
Mr Ip Kwok-him
 
Deputy Chairman
——————-
Ms Alice Law Shing-mui (until June 30, 2021)
 
Members
———-
Mr Karson Choi Ka-tsan
Ms Chow Yuen-yee
Ms Loretta Fong Wan-huen
Mr Lee Wing-man
Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi
Dr Pan Pey-chyou
Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung
Ms Winnie Wong Chi-shun
Mr Emil Yu Chen-on
Ms Helen Zee
 
     Following is the membership of the PRP with effect from April 1, 2021:
 
Chairman
————
Mr Eugene Fung Ting-sek, SC
 
Members
————
Mr Abraham Chan Lok-shung, SC
Miss Grace Chan Man-yee
Mrs Agnes Koon Woo Kam-oi
Mr Allen Lau Kai-hung
Dr James Lin
Mr Jeff Wong Kwan-kit
Ms Grace Yu Ho-wun
 
Ex-officio Members
————————-
Chairman of the MPFA
Secretary for Justice (or her representative)
 

     The Government announced today (March 26) the re-appointment of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and 10 incumbent members as well as the appointment of one new member, Ms Margaret Cheng Wai-ching, to the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) for a term of two years with effect from April 1, 2021.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, welcomed the appointments. He also thanked the outgoing member, Mrs Nancy Chan Lam See, for her sterling contribution to the ERB during her tenure of service.

     The ERB is a statutory body established in 1992 under the Employees Retraining Ordinance (Cap 423). The composition of its membership, comprising representatives of employers and employees, and persons connected with vocational training and retraining or manpower planning, is specified in the law. It is responsible for providing retraining courses and related placement services under the Manpower Development Scheme.

     The membership list of the ERB in the new term is as follows:

Chairman
———-
Mr Yu Pang-chun

Vice-Chairman
—————-
Professor Simon Wong Kit-lung

Representatives of Employers
——————————–
Ms Cally Chan Shan-shan
Mrs Susan So Chan Wai-hang
Ms Tse Siu-ling
Dr Johnny Ng Kit-chong

Representatives of Employees
——————————–
Mr Cheng Ching-fat
Mr Chu Yin-cheong
Mr Lam Chun-sing
Mr Li Wing-foo

Persons Connected with Vocational Training and Retraining or Manpower Planning
————————————————————————————–
Ms Christina Chan Shuk-han
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin
Ms Margaret Cheng Wai-ching
Executive Director of Vocational Training Council

Public Officers
—————
Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Commissioner for Labour

     The Government announced today (March 26) that the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury has re-appointed Mr Paul Shieh Wing-tai, SC, as the chairperson of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Review Tribunal, and appointed 11 persons as panel members of the Tribunal for a term of three years. All appointments will take effect on April 1, 2021.
 
     The appointments and re-appointments of panel members are as follows:
 
Re-appointed chairperson
Mr Paul Shieh Wing-tai, SC
 
Re-appointed panel members (8)
Mr William Ahern                                          
Ms Lena Chan                                               
Mr Gary Cheung Wai-kwok                                 
Mr Praveen Daswani                               
Ms Mary Huen Wai-yi                                    
Mrs Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi                 
Ms Rebecca Poon Chui-ngor                          
Mr Anthony Rogers, QC
 
Newly appointed panel members (3)
Mr Anthony Chiu Ling-cheong                      
Ms Cindi Hui Ming-ming                              
Mr Roy Tsang Chi-wai         
 
     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "Under the exemplary leadership of Mr Shieh, the Tribunal has been operating smoothly. I look forward to Mr Shieh's continued guidance for the work of the Tribunal in the new term."
 
     Mr Hui extended his welcome to the three newly appointed members. Mr Hui said, "Mr Anthony Chiu Ling-cheong, Ms Cindi Hui Ming-ming and Mr Roy Tsang Chi-wai have a strong public service record. I am confident that their expertise and experience will contribute to the effective operation of the Tribunal."
 
     Mr Hui also expressed his gratitude to the three outgoing members, Mr Chan Kam-hon, Mr Peter Li Po-ting and Mr Anson Wong Man-kit, SC, for their valuable contributions over the years.
 
     The Tribunal was established under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615) to review specified decisions made under the Ordinance by a relevant authority (including the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, the Insurance Authority and the Customs and Excise Department), any decision of the Commissioner of Customs and Excise on licensing matters in respect of money service operators, and any decision of the Registrar of Companies on licensing and disciplinary matters in respect of trust or company service providers.