The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a food factory in Tsuen Wan to suspend business for 14 days as the operator repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally.
 
     The premises, located on the Ground Floor of No. 2 Ching Lung Tau Village, Tsuen Wan, was ordered to suspend business from today (February 20) to March 5.
 
     "In October and November last year, two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the shop. A total fine of $2,800 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
 
     The licensee of the shop had a record of two convictions for storing and preparing food in an open space in July last year. A total fine of $2,000 was levied and 15 demerit points were also registered. The breaches led to a licence suspension for seven days in November last year.
 
     The spokesman reminded the licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
 
     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit a sign, at a conspicuous place near the main entrance, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/index.html).

     The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a restaurant in Mong Kok to suspend business for 14 days, as the operator repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally.
 
     The shop, located at a portion of G/F and Shop No. 14 and 15 on M/F, 5 Yim Po Fong Street, Mong Kok, was ordered to suspend business from today (February 20) to March 5.
 
     "In June and November last year, two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the shop. A total fine of $6,000 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
 
     The licensee of the shop had a record of three convictions for failing to keep the food room clean, improper repair and cleaniness of furniture and utensils, and extending the business area illegally in July last year. A total fine of $6,100 was levied and 20 demerit points were also registered. The breaches led to a licence suspension for seven days in September in the same year.
 
     The spokesman reminded the licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
 
     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit a sign, at a conspicuous place near the main entrance, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/index.html).
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 20, the CHP was investigating 15 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 849 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 848 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, five are imported cases, four are local cases with unknown sources while the remaining six cases are epidemiologically linked with a local case.
           
     The first case with unknown sources involves a 70-year-old woman (case number: 10835) who developed cough and chill on February 13. She sought medical attention at a General Out-patient Clinic on February 17. Her deep throat saliva sample collected on February 18 was tested positive. The patient has been retired.
 
The second case with unknown sources involves a 29-year-old man (case number: 10836) who developed loss of taste on February 11. He sought medical attention at a General Out-patient Clinic on February 18. His deep throat saliva sample collected on February 18 was tested positive. He is a taxi driver and last went to work on February 11.

     The third case with unknown sources involves a 42-year-old man (case number: 10845) who had been asymptomatic. He submitted a deep throat saliva sample on February 16 and was tested positive. He is a private doctor and last went to work on February 18.
 
The fourth case with unknown sources involves a 51-year-old woman (case number: 10847) who had been asymptomatic. She went to a Community Testing Centre for testing on February 17 and was tested positive. She is a housewife.
 ã€€ã€€
      A total of 244 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (February 6 to 19), including 203 local cases of which 75 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.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (February 20):

Reporter: Do we have to get to zero infection before we can communicate with the Mainland authorities about resuming the cross-boundary travel? And do we have the details as to how many doses will be available at the community centres because you said mainly the doses will be administered at private clinics?

Secretary for the Civil Service: As regards the first question, it is important that we need discussions with the Mainland authorities. It is important to have an exchange of views and suggestions between the two sides because both of us are also very concerned about our respective epidemic situations, and the number one priority is to get our epidemic under control, having no further outbreak etc. We will continue our engagement with the Mainland authorities and we hope that, of course just like everyone, we want to see cross-boundary travel as early as possible. But we have to do our job well first. 

     As regards the vaccination of Sinovac vaccine, the majority of the vaccination would be through private doctors and clinics. Before mid-March, more than 1 000 or up to 1 500 private clinics would be participating in the vaccination programme. So people who want to get vaccinated can contact their doctors and get vaccinated at their clinics. No central booking is required. They can also get the vaccination at the five community vaccination centres starting from next Friday, and the online booking will start on Tuesday. 

    We would launch the vaccination programme gradually and in phases. At first, there may not be in full capacity because we want to get the work flow smooth, and healthcare workers engaged in the inoculation get used to it. And also the public know about the procedures including each and every step, the documents they need to bring, and the points to note after vaccination, etc. We will do it as quickly as possible but at the same time in an orderly and safe manner, and will encourage more people to get vaccinated.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)

     The Secretariat of the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS) said today (February 20) that seven projects involving a total grant of around $40 million have been approved in the latest round of application. Enhancement measures will also be introduced to the CCFS to provide more flexibility and increase the amount of grants for the projects in order to attract more non-profit-making organisations and more diverse proposals for taking part in the conservation effort of Hong Kong’s remote countryside.
      
     All CCFS applications are considered and examined by the Advisory Committee on Countryside Conservation (ACCC) chaired by the Secretary for the Environment.  Topics covered in the seven projects approved in this round of application included the conservation of the ecological condition of fishponds in Ramsar Site, promotion of a fishpond conservation culture and an enhancement of habitats for butterflies. Also included were the design of walking trails comprising historic churches and village cultural experiences, feasibility studies on water transportation to remote countryside areas, research studies on the architecture and landscape of Hakka villages, as well as an assessment and formulation of guidelines in relation to the revitalisation of villages such as Lai Chi Wo. The ACCC expects that these projects will enhance the conservation management of areas with high ecological value, revitalise local villages and promote eco-tourism. 
      
     To encourage different conservation and revitalisation projects to be carried out in the countryside, the EPD, in consultation with the ACCC, will introduce enhancement measures which include increasing the number of application assessments to three rounds every year on a need basis and increasing the funding cap for specific types of projects from $2 million to $3 million. The enhancement measures are expected to provide more flexibility, encourage more diverse and innovative countryside conservation projects or activities as well as create additional green job opportunities. 
      
     Details of the seven approved projects are available on the CCFS webpage (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/conservation/ccfs/ccfs_approved_projects.html). Details of the next round of application will be announced on the CCFS webpage on February 26.