Tag Archives: China

     Police are investigating a murder case in Kwai Chung in the small hours of today (February 25) in which a 69-year-old man died.      At 4.20am today, Police received a report from a 40-year-old … read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 25, the CHP was investigating 13 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 927 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 926 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, one is imported cases, three are local cases with unknown sources while the remaining nine cases are epidemiologically linked with a local case.
           
     The first case with unknown sources involves a 34-year-old woman (case number: 10915) who developed fever on February 19. She went to a community testing centre for testing on February 23 and tested positive. She is a salesperson and she last went to work on February 18.
 
     The second case with unknown sources involves a 62-year-old man (case number: 10926) who developed fever on February 22. He attended a General Out-patient Clinic on the next day and tested positive. The patient is a quality control worker and he last went to work on February 24.

     The third case with unknown sources involves a 16-year-old man (case number: 10927) who developed dizziness on February 23. He attended Accident and Emergency Department of a public hospital on the next day and tested positive. He is a student. He last went to school on February 23.
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      A total of 203 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (February 11 to 24), including 166 local cases of which 70 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).
      
      In view of the latest epidemic developments in the Mainland, the previous arrangement to provide specimen collection containers to inbound travellers arriving via land boundary control points who have been to Shaanxi Province in the past 14 days will be cancelled from tomorrow (February 26). These travellers, if they are not exempted persons, are subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days at a designated place (home or other accommodation) upon arrival in Hong Kong. The arrangement of distributing specimen collection containers to inbound travellers who have been to Heilongjiang Province, Beijing, Hebei Province, Jilin Province and Shanghai in the past 14 days arriving via land boundary control points, which has come into effect earlier, remains unchanged.

     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 public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop.
      
     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, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. 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;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• 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 Education Bureau (EDB) today (February 25) reminded that the online application period for the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions (Admission Scheme) will begin on March 1.
          
     According to the Admission Scheme arrangements for the 2021/22 academic year announced by the Ministry of Education (MoE), 127 Mainland higher education institutions (listed in the Annex) will consider admission applications of Hong Kong students taking part in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination 2021 based on their HKDSE results, thus exempting them from taking the Joint Entrance Examination for Universities on the Mainland. The MoE has commissioned the Co-Office of the Mainland Chinese Universities and Colleges of the People’s Republic of China for the Joint Examinations and Enrolment of the Students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese-Resident Areas and Countries (the Joint Enrolment Office) to accept online applications and conduct admission screenings, and has entrusted the China Education Exchange (Hong Kong) Centre (HKCEEC) on matters such as eligibility vetting and publicity.
          
     The application and related procedures for the Admission Scheme will be conducted online. Applicants should access the website of the Joint Enrolment Office (eea.gd.gov.cn) from March 1 to 20 and click on “Admission of Hong Kong Students Taking the HKDSE Examination” under the menu of “Application and Examination” to submit their applications and upload the following:      
     

1. scanned copy of Hong Kong identity card;
2. scanned copy of valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents or Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents; and
3. digital passport photo.

 
     Applicants can log on to the online application system to confirm application verification results before March 31. As for cases in which applicants provided supplementary information as per the system’s request, they can log on and check the latest verification results before April 16. Applicants passing the application verification should settle fees and complete the application confirmation process according to the instructions provided in the online application system by April 23. Applicants will then be assigned with a candidate number for identification purposes.
      
     Applicants must complete the application confirmation process before proceeding to the admission stage. In addition, applicants may upload their Student Learning Profiles via the online application system during the period from March 1 to May 31. Schools may upload relevant documents for the School Principal Nomination Scheme via the same system from May 1 to 31.
          
     According to the admission procedure for the 2021/22 academic year, institutions may arrange interviews/practical exams based on the application information submitted by applicants. Applicants should look out for the institutions’ arrangements and announcements. Institutions will announce the admission results after the release of the HKDSE Examination results, and arrange online supplementary enrolment (i.e. offer of surplus admission quotas) based on the enrolment situation. Details of the admission arrangement and enrolment notice will be announced in due course.
      
     A handbook (Chinese version only) jointly published by the EDB, HKCEEC and Hok Yau Club provides comprehensive information on the Admission Scheme and pursuing studies on the Mainland, including information on all institutions participating in the Scheme, programmes offered, strategy on programme choices, and accounts of experience by graduates of the Mainland universities. The handbook was distributed to all Secondary Six students in Hong Kong earlier, and the e-version of the handbook as well as other details of the Admission Scheme have been uploaded onto the EDB’s website (www.edb.gov.hk/admissionscheme21).
      
     Furthermore, eligible Hong Kong students enrolled in undergraduate programmes of designated Mainland institutions can apply for means-tested subsidies or non-means-tested subsidies under the Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS). Application details for MUSSS for the 2021/22 academic year will be announced in mid-2021. read more

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department today (February 25) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from March 1 to March 31, 2021, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts of the dedicated LPG filling stations.
 
     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on March 1, 2021, reflects the movement of the LPG international price in February 2021. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations will range from $3.64 to $4.21 per litre, representing an increase of $0.23 to $0.24 per litre.
 
     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a specified pricing formula. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price is the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on the first day of February every year according to the movement in the Composite Consumer Price Index in the previous year.
 
     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in March 2021 are as follows:
 

Location of Dedicated LPG Filling Station	Auto-LPG  Ceiling Price in March 2021  (HK$/litre)	Auto-LPG  Ceiling Price in February 2021  (HK$/litre)
Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan	4.21	3.97
Ngo Cheung Road, West Kowloon	4.21	3.97
Sham Mong Road, Mei Foo	3.86	3.63
Yip Wong Road, Tuen Mun	3.86	3.63
Marsh Road, Wan Chai	3.86	3.62
Fung Mat Road, Sheung Wan	3.79	3.55
Wai Lok Street, Kwun Tong	3.79	3.55
Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po	3.79	3.55
Cheung Yip Street, Kowloon Bay	3.84	3.60
Kwai On Road, Kwai Chung	3.84	3.60
Hang Yiu Street, Ma On Shan	3.64	3.41
Tak Yip Street, Yuen Long	3.64	3.41

     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price of each dedicated LPG filling station have been uploaded to the department website www.emsd.gov.hk. They are also posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
 
     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the “What’s New” section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html. read more

     Police today (February 25) appealed to the public for information on a girl who went missing in Kwun Tong.      Lee Yuen-kei, Pinky, aged 13, went missing after she was last seen outside Yau Ton… read more