The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudule… read more
To align with the Government’s announcement to fully resume normal public services, further to the resumption of driving test (road test) services from February 22, the Transport Department (TD) said today (February 19) that the driving test (Part A written test) and the taxi written test services will resume from March 15. Candidates affected by the suspension of the written test services will be notified individually of their rescheduled test dates.
The driving test appointment services, including walk-in counter services of the Driving Test Appointment Office (DTAO), handling of driving test applications for fresh candidates and repeaters and driving test postponement applications, the online booking service for driving test appointments and the telephone booking service for repeater early test appointment, will resume from March 15.
To reduce the risk of the spread of the virus, infection control measures will be implemented in the written test centre of the TD, including stepping up cleaning of computers at the test centre. All candidates participating in the written test must wear surgical masks inside the test centre and throughout the test, clean their hands with alcohol-based sanitiser before entering the centre, and undergo body temperature screening arranged by the TD. If a candidate does not wear a surgical mask, refuses to undergo body temperature screening or has a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius, the candidate will not be allowed to enter the test centre and the test will be rescheduled.
The TD urges candidates not to attend a driving test if they are unwell, and advises that they should consult a doctor promptly. Applicants who are absent from a driving test on medical grounds may submit their postponement applications with the original sick leave certificate/medical certificate to the DTAO of the TD within one month from the test date for follow-up and rescheduling of the test date.
In addition, the TD appeals to members of the public visiting the DTAO and written test centre to use the venue QR code of “LeaveHomeSafe” displayed at prominent positions at the entrance of the premises and the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app. This is to align with the arrangement starting from March 1 that members of the public will be required to use the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app before entering government buildings or offices.
For enquiries, please contact the DTAO at 2771 7723 from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 19, the CHP was investigating 13 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 834 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 833 confirmed cases and one probable case).
Among the newly reported cases announced, one is an imported case.
A total of 268 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (February 5 to 18), including 225 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.
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 Shanxi Province and Shandong Province in the past 14 days will be cancelled from today (February 19). 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, Shaanxi Province and Shanghai in the past 14 days arriving via land boundary control points, which has come into effect earlier, remains unchanged.
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
Hongkong Post announced today (February 19) the need to adjust the weight limit for the Speedpost service to Canada to 5 kilograms from tomorrow (February 20) until further notice, owing to the substantial reduction in fli… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following statement today (February 19) regarding the dissemination of false information by some healthca… read more