The Government exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and published in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at eight specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.

     Currently, in all districts in Hong Kong, if one or more new confirmed cases are found in the residential buildings (including buildings for both commercial and residential uses), or there are sewage samples tested positive which implied possible infection risks, the buildings will be included in the compulsory testing notice.

     For testing targeting at workplaces, if one or more confirmed cases are found in a workplace, it will be included in the compulsory testing notice.

     Six premises fulfilling the above criteria and one school were included in the compulsory testing notice today (March 18). In addition, since there was outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in Beverly Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten, G/F(portion) & LG/F (portion), Block 5, Hong Sing Gardens, 1 Po Lam Road North, Tseung Kwan O, and the symptoms of URTI are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence's sake, the school was also covered in the compulsory testing notice.
     
     Details of the compulsory testing notice are as follows:

1. Any person who had been present at any specified premises listed in Part A of Annex 1 for more than two hours at any time during the period from March 5 to March 18, 2021 (including but not limited to visitors, residents and workers), have to undergo testing by March 21, 2021. If persons subject to compulsory testing have previously undergone testing between March 16 and March 18, 2021, they would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notice.
 
2. Any person who had been present at any specified premises listed in Part B of Annex 1 for more than two hours at any time during the period from March 5 to March 18, 2021 (including but not limited to full-time, part-time and relief staff and visitors), have to undergo testing by March 21, 2021. If persons subject to compulsory testing have previously undergone testing between March 16 and March 18, 2021, they would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notice.
 
3. Any person who had been present at any specified premises listed in Part C of Annex 1 for more than two hours at any time during the period from March 5 to March 18, 2021 (including but not limited to full-time, part-time and relief staff, students and visitors), have to undergo testing by March 21, 2021. If persons subject to compulsory testing who had been present at the second specified premises in Part C choose to undergo testing using the specimen bottles distributed by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), they have to return the specimen bottle with the sample by March 23, 2021. If persons subject to compulsory testing have previously undergone testing between March 16 and March 18, 2021, they would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notice.
 
     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau reminds the public that in accordance with the compulsory testing notice issued earlier, all household members of close contacts are required to undergo compulsory testing. Any person who had lived with a person who is placed under quarantine pursuant to section 22 of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (person under quarantine) in the same residential unit on the date of commencement of quarantine or during the 14 days before that day, and who becomes aware of the quarantine of the person under quarantine when the relevant quarantine has not yet been completed, have to undergo testing within two days of he/she becoming aware of the person under quarantine has been placed under quarantine and report to the Government the result of the test by phone (at 6275 6901), fax (at 2530 5872) or email (ct@csb.gov.hk) within three days of undergoing the test.

     The service period of the mobile specimen collection stations at Southorn Playground in Wan Chai, Li Sing Street Playground in Sai Ying Pun, Kennedy Town Playground, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex and 100 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East will be extended to March 21 (Sunday). The service period of the mobile specimen collection stations at MacPherson Playground in Mong Kok, Arthur Street Temporary Playground in Yau Ma Tei, King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon and Tung Chung North Park will be extended to March 28 (Sunday).

     The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are stated in Annex 2. Apart from mobile specimen collection stations, persons subject to compulsory testing can also choose to attend any of the community testing centres in all districts to receive testing free of charge.
     
     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:

1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
2. To attend any of the community testing centres (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/);
3. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
4. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority;
5. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the Department of Health (DH) and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf); or
6.To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

     The spokesman cautioned that testing received at accident and emergency departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     "If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the community testing centres."

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notification containing result of the test for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notices 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.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the community testing centres, they can check the centre's appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the community testing centres are available at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info/.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person 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.

     Relevant officers of different government departments are empowered to perform certain functions under the relevant Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), including requesting individuals to provide information and assistance when necessary. Any person who fails to comply with the relevant request commits an offence and would be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). Collection and use of any personal data for conducting COVID-19 tests must meet the requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Government departments or testing service providers which handle the relevant information may provide the data to DH or other relevant departments for anti-epidemic purpose as necessary. The workflow does not involve the provision of any personal data to organisations or persons outside Hong Kong.

     The spokesman said, "The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons."

     A unique art exhibition entitled "NOT a fashion store!" will be held at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) from tomorrow (March 19). The exhibition showcases 76 sets of artworks related to fashionable and traditional clothing, shoes and accessories from various eras curated from the four core collections of the HKMoA, namely Chinese Antiquities, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, China Trade Art, and Modern and Hong Kong Art. The exhibition is to inspire visitors' thoughts on personal image and fashion and culture when appreciating the works of art.
 
     The exhibition venue located at The Wing on the first floor of the HKMoA will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind "fashion store". The "store" showcases men's and ladies' fashions, trendy shoes, vintage pieces and accessories as well as an XXL corner plus the studio and a wonderland. Allowing visitors to stroll around and enjoy the works of art from a new perspective. The mirrors in each department feature questions that one might ask when one is shopping: does one have a set perception of what men and women can wear? Does one have a special fondness for certain types of clothing? What about colours? Is one a dedicated follower of fashion? There will also be questions on fashion elements such as types, colours, styles, craftsmanship, materials, patterns, trends, etc. While admiring the unique creativity of the artworks on display, visitors can enter a virtual dialogue with the artists and reflect with them on the issues they present, the aesthetic elements of their works and cultural trends, as well as exploring the meanings of the works.
 
     In the "fitting room", visitors can gain an understanding on the museum collection while exploring their self-image. Other than an exhibition magazine, an educational magazine "Fashion Plus" introduces the skills of colour selection and matching from artists, the evolution of beauty standards that changes with the times, as well as the skills of storage and preservation of different materials of the clothes.

     In addition, two local artists, Keith Lam and Kevin Fung are commissioned to create the wonderland in The Wing on the ground floor, enabling visitors to step inside this incredible space. The work "Landscape of cloud" by Keith Lam, is inspired by the cloud of the Internet. The work, combining real-time digital and interactive elements, involves visitors' participation through social media engagement and provokes them to play along the borders between the virtual and reality. "Playground series" by Kevin Fung looks like a playground, bringing the message how a playground is there to prepare people for what life offers.
 
     The exhibition will run from tomorrow until January 5 next year at the HKMoA (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their name, contact number and the date and time of visit before being allowed to enter museums for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. Appeals are made to members of the public to download the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app in advance and scan the QR code with the app before entering. Members of the public who opt for registering their personal information at the scene are reminded to arrive earlier to avoid delaying their visits as longer time is required for such registration.
 
     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the museum will apply a quota to limit visitor flow. Visitors to the museum will need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to temperature checks before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Children under 12 will only be allowed to enter the museum and exhibition facilities when accompanied by an adult. For details of the exhibition and the admission arrangements, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/not-a-fashion-store.html or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.

                  

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) conducted a joint operation earlier and intercepted the first case of illegal import of hazardous electronic waste from the Mainland by land at Sha Tau Kok Control Point. The importer involved, namely Let's Go (International) Logistics Limited, was convicted and fined a total of $30,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 18) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     In June last year, enforcement officers inspected a truck, which was claimed to contain tablet casings, at Sha Tau Kok Control Point and intercepted a batch of illegally imported hazardous electronic waste, including over 20 000 waste batteries and a batch of waste flat panel displays. After completion of evidence gathering, the EPD immediately repatriated all the intercepted waste to the Mainland and instituted prosecution against the importer involved under the WDO. This is the first convicted case of illegal import of hazardous electronic waste by land, showing the effectiveness of the EPD's efforts to combat illegal imports of waste comprehensively.

     A spokesman for the EPD said that to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a distribution hub for the illegal import of waste, the department has been closely exchanging intelligence and collaborating with the C&ED on strengthening the interception of waste entering Hong Kong illegally through different channels. Since the Mainland has gradually banned the import of various types of waste since 2018 and Hong Kong's import and export control on regulated electrical and electronic equipment came into effect, the EPD and the C&ED have continuously stepped up inspections of suspicious cargo transported to Hong Kong by sea and by air, and gradually extended the relevant enforcement work to all land control points in the second half of 2020. According to records, the EPD, with the assistance of the C&ED, successfully prosecuted 53 cases of illegal import of hazardous electronic waste in 2019 and 52 cases in 2020, achieving significant increases of 47 per cent and 44 per cent as compared to the 36 cases in 2018. The EPD believes that this first conviction will have a deterrent effect on the illegal import of hazardous electronic waste by land in the future.

     The spokesman stressed that the EPD will continue to rigorously combat the illegal import and export of hazardous waste and bring offenders to justice. The spokesman also reminded importers and exporters of the waste recycling trade not to illegally import (including transshipment through Hong Kong) or export hazardous waste. According to the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to import or export hazardous waste without obtaining a valid permit beforehand. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.

    

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 18) urged the public not to consume a kind of seasoning imported from Spain because the sesame seed used in the product was found with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the European Union (EU). The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
      
     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Mexican Seasoning
Brand: DANI
Place of origin: Spain
Net weight: 40 grams per bottle
Importer: Sure Profit Trading Ltd.
Best-before date: May 31, 2024

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the sesame seed used in the above-mentioned product was found earlier with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the EU. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the affected product has been imported into Hong Kong. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer concerned for follow-up."

     A preliminary investigation found that the importer, Sure Profit Trading Ltd., had imported the affected product into Hong Kong. Since ethylene oxide is not authorised by the EU, for the sake of prudence, the importer has removed the product from shelves and stopped the sale of the affected product upon the CFS' advice and has initiated a recall. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the hotline of the importer at 2798 6699 during office hours.

     The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected product if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

     The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (March 18) visited the Contact Tracing Office (CTO) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health at Kai Tak Community Hall to better understand the latest progress of tracing the contacts of COVID-19 confirmed cases and to give encouragement as well as recognition for the efforts of staff members in the office.

     Accompanied by the Controller of the CHP, Dr Ronald Lam, Mr Cheung was briefed by staff members of the CTO on the latest work of tracing the contacts of confirmed cases.

     Mr Cheung said he was pleased to note that in response to the cluster outbreak in a fitness centre in early March, the CTO took prompt action to speed up the process of identifying close contacts, making notable achievements. Since early March, the fitness centre cluster outbreak has resulted in 135 confirmed cases. The CTO successfully traced about 1 500 contacts in a few days' time and had them quarantined, and around 3 200 household contacts of close contacts were successfully traced and requested to undergo compulsory testing. In other words, for the fitness centre cluster, the CTO identified an average of about 35 contacts or family members for each confirmed case, much higher than the average of four contacts identified per confirmed case during the initial operation of the CTO. Such efforts have significantly helped in cutting chains of viral transmission. Over the past two weeks, the number of confirmed cases with unknown sources has largely remained at a single-digit level, proving the effectiveness of the work of the CTO.

     Mr Cheung expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the staff members of the CTO, including the officers temporarily seconded from the disciplined services (which include the Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department and the Fire Services Department), for their tireless efforts in contact tracing.

     "The officers from the disciplined services, with experience in investigation, help conduct tracing with greater precision and efficiency in a professional and scientific manner. Their deployment also frees up the medical and nursing staff, who may then focus on conducting epidemiological investigations and make good use of the data collected in the investigations for further analysis," Mr Cheung said.

     Since February, the Department of Health has expanded the contact tracing network to two tiers, i.e. in addition to tracing and putting the close contacts of each confirmed case under quarantine, the household members of the close contacts are now also required to undergo compulsory testing.

     So far, the CTO has successfully helped trace over 14 000 close contacts and advised more than 9 000 household contacts of close contacts to undergo compulsory testing.