The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, February 22, 2021 is 100.6 (up 0.1 against last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, February 20, 2021 was 100.5 (down 0.1 against last Friday's index).

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (February 22) announced that the exhibition periods of thematic exhibitions held at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) have been extended. Members of the public could grasp the chance to visit these exhibitions.
 
​     The exhibition period of "Botticelli and His Times – Masterworks from the Uffizi" at the HKMoA has been extended to March 10 (Wednesday). The exhibition celebrates the cultural exchanges between the People's Republic of China and Italy, and offers the Hong Kong public an opportunity to explore the art and culture of the Renaissance during the 15th and 16th centuries.
 
​     Jointly presented by the LCSD and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism of Italy, the exhibition is jointly organised by the HKMoA and the Uffizi Galleries from Italy, and is solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. It is one of the exhibitions in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series. The exhibition is arranged in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong and the Chinese-Italian Cultural Society, with the First Initiative Foundation as the Community Partner. It is supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong and is part of the programme of "Italia Mia".
 
​     The exhibition is held at the Special Gallery on the second floor of the HKMoA. For ticket details, please visit hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/botticelli-and-his-times-masterworks-from-the-uffizi.html, or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.
 
​     At the HKHM, the exhibition period of "Hand-in-Hand for Benevolence – Tung Wah's Fundraising Culture and Social Development" exhibition has been extended to March 7 (Sunday). Featuring more than 200 invaluable artefacts and a vast array of historical photos, the exhibition allows visitors to gain an understanding of the social development of Hong Kong through the fundraising culture of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) and to relive the collective memory of Hong Kong people embodied therein.
 
​     The exhibition is co-presented by the LCSD and the TWGHs, and is co-organised by the HKHM and the Tung Wah Museum. It is held at Thematic Galleries 1 and 2 and the Function Place on the first floor of the HKHM, and is free for admission. For details, please visit the website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid266.html, or call 2180 8188.
 
​     Another two events, "20/20 Hong Kong Print Art Exhibition" and "Between the Lines – The Legends of Hong Kong Printing" at the HKHM, have had their exhibition periods extended to March 22 (Monday). The two exhibitions are co-presented by the LCSD and the Hong Kong Open Printshop. It is co-organised by the HKHM and the Hong Kong Open Printshop. They showcase print art by local artists and introduce traditional printing techniques in Hong Kong.
 
​     "20/20 Hong Kong Print Art Exhibition" and "Between the Lines – The Legends of Hong Kong Printing" are held at Thematic Galleries 3, 4 and 5 on the first floor of the HKHM and are free for admission. For details of the "20/20 Hong Kong Print Art Exhibition", please visit the website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid264.html; for details of "Between the Lines – The Legends of Hong Kong Printing", please visit the website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid265.html; or call 2180 8188.
　　
​     According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), users are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code with their mobile phones or register their names, contact number and the date and time of the 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 and install 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 a longer time is required for such registration.
 
​     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the museums will apply a quota to limit visitor flow. Visitors to the museums 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 museums 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 of the HKMoA, and hk.heritage.museum of the HKHM, or call 2721 0116 of the HKMoA, 2180 8188 of the HKHM, for enquiries.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 22, the CHP was investigating 16 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 885 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 884 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, three are imported cases and four 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 66-year-old woman (case number: 10876) who developed sore throat, cough, runny nose and diarrhoea on February 19. She went to a mobile specimen collection station for testing on the next day and tested positive. She is a postnatal care helper. She last went to work on February 11.
 
     The second case with unknown sources involves a 76-year-old man (case number: 10877) who developed sore throat and shortness of breath on February 5. He went to a mobile specimen collection station for testing on February 20 and tested positive. The patient is retired.
 
     The third case with unknown sources involves a 41-year-old man (case number: 10883) who developed sore throat, cough, runny nose and headache on February 17. He attended a private practitioner on the same day. His deep throat saliva sample submitted to a General Out-patient Clinic on the next day tested positive. He is a computer officer. He last went to work on February 11.
 
     The fourth case with unknown sources involves a 62-year-old man (case number: 10884) who developed runny nose on February 19. He went to a mobile specimen collection station for testing on the same day and tested positive. The patient is retired.

     A total of 233 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (February 8 to 21), including 192 local cases of which 76 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 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.

     The public consultation on strengthening the regulation of harmful substances such as industrially-produced trans fats and mycotoxins in food will end in three weeks (March 15). The Government today (February 22) called on members of the trade and the public to provide their views promptly on the proposals put forward in the consultation document.

     A Government spokesman said, "We published the public consultation document on December 11 last year on the proposed amendments to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (the Regulations). In formulating the proposed amendments, the Government had been in close liaison with relevant stakeholders of the trade, including food importers, distributors, manufacturers and catering businesses. Since the consultation began, the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has held two consultation forums by videoconferencing and other virtual meetings with relevant sectors of the trade on areas such as laboratory testing. Members of the trade and the public generally concur with the direction of the proposed amendments thus far. We will consider the views received carefully, with an aim to introduce relevant amendments to the subsidiary legislation into the Legislative Council within this year."

     The Government's proposed amendments include updating and strengthening the regulatory control of three types of mycotoxins, i.e. aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (also known as vomitoxin) and patulin, in food; as well as setting or updating the maximum levels for five other harmful substances (i.e. benzo[a]pyrene, glycidyl fatty acid esters, melamine, 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol and erucic acid) in edible fats and oils, condiments or formula products intended for infants.

     In the consultation document, the Government also proposes to regard partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), i.e. the main source of industrially-produced trans fatty acids, as a prohibited substance in food, prohibiting the import of any edible fats and oils containing PHOs and the sale of any food (including edible fats and oils) containing PHOs under the Regulations. It is also proposed that if any prepackaged food contains hydrogenated oils, it must be indicated accordingly in the list of ingredients.
 
     The Government proposes to allow a grace period of 18 months for the Amendment Regulations to be gazetted to come into force, so that stakeholders such as the food trade and the private testing and laboratory sector will have reasonable time to get prepared for the updated food safety standards.

     Comments and views can be sent before the end of the consultation by post to 43/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong; by fax to 2893 3547; or by email to harmful-sub-consultation@fehd.gov.hk. The consultation document is available at the website of the Food and Health Bureau (www.fhb.gov.hk) and the designated webpage of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (www.cfs.gov.hk/harmfulsubstance).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kowloon West Cluster (KWC) today (February 22) announced that the Tsing Yi Cheung Hong General Out-patient Clinic (the clinic) will resume service next Monday (March 1) at its original site at 3/F, Tsing Yi Cheung Hong Commercial Complex, Cheung Hong Estate, Tsing Yi, upon completion of renovation works. The service hours will remain unchanged (details are listed in the Appendix).
 
     According to the spokesperson, due to the earlier renovation works, the service of the clinic had been temporarily relocated to the Tsing Yi Town General Out-patient Clinic. Following the resumption of clinic service at its original site, the temporary service relocation will cease operation with effect from the same day.
 
     Patients with chronic illnesses requiring regular follow-ups have been informed and have arranged follow-up appointments at the original clinic site. Patients with episodic illnesses can make appointments via the telephone appointment system (Tel: 3157 0103) or the HA Go "Book GOPC" mobile application function as usual.
 
     "KWC has already informed the residents in the district on the service arrangement through various channels, including a banner outside the renovation clinic and a poster in the temporary service relocation clinic. The respective District Council has also been informed. A reminder message is also added to the telephone appointment system of the Tsing Yi Cheung Hong General Out-patient Clinic and the HA Go 'Book GOPC' mobile application function, in order to allow members of the public and residents in the district to learn the arrangement promptly," the spokesperson added.