Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 10, the CHP was investigating 17 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 711 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 710 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     A total of 471 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (January 27 to February 9), including 427 local cases of which 138 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. read more

     â€‹The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2021 (the Bill) will be published in the Gazette on February 19. The Bill seeks to include “cat” and “dog” in the definition of “animal” in section 56 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) (the Ordinance). 
      
     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said, “The number of cats and dogs kept by the public has been increasing in recent years. Concomitant with the increase, the risk of these animals going astray and getting injured in traffic accidents has gone up. Accidents involving injuries or deaths of these animals after being hit by vehicles occur from time to time. After conducting a public consultation, the Government proposes to amend the Ordinance to expand the definition of ‘animal’ and require drivers to stop the vehicle if they hit cats or dogs, so that cats and dogs injured in traffic accidents may receive timely medical treatment. This will help further safeguard animal welfare.”
      
     At present, the definition of “animal” under the Ordinance covers any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig or goat, but does not include a cat or dog. The Ordinance currently provides that the driver of a vehicle shall stop if an accident involving that vehicle occurs whereby damage is caused to an animal other than one in or on that vehicle or a trailer drawn by it. Drivers are also required to provide particulars, including a name and address, to any police officer or any person having reasonable grounds for requiring them, otherwise the driver must report the accident to the Police as soon as possible and in any case not later than 24 hours after the accident. A driver failing to stop after a relevant accident is liable to a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for 12 months, whereas a driver failing to provide particulars and report to the Police as soon as possible and within 24 hours is liable to a fine of $15,000 and imprisonment for six months.
      
     The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for scrutiny on February 24. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      As at 9am today (February 10), 46 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 10 022 patients with confirmed… read more

     A Government spokesman said today (February 10) that the Chief Executive in Council gave approval on February 9 to the Government to proceed with the proposed non-in-situ land exchange in Sha Lo Tung (SLT) for its long-term conservation. The Government will continue to follow up with the Sha Lo Tung Development Company Limited (SLTDC) on the latter phase of the land exchange for the actual implementation.

     SLT has a very high ecological value and ranks second among the 12 priority sites requiring enhanced conservation under the New Nature Conservation Policy, behind only the internationally important wetlands in Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay. It has diverse habitats such as fung shui wood and an “ecologically important stream” as well as enjoying a reputation for being a sanctuary for dragonflies. SLT is a prime habitat for dragonflies, butterflies, fireflies, freshwater fish, amphibians, birds, etc, and nurtures many rare and endangered species. Active conservation management in SLT is therefore necessary for the prevention of habitat degradation and damage.
 
     For the long-term conservation of SLT, the Chief Executive in Council gave in-principle agreement in June 2017 to the Government to grant an area of land at the Shuen Wan Restored Landfill (SWRL) in Tai Po to the SLTDC for developing a private golf course in exchange for its surrender of the ecologically important private land in SLT to the Government. The conditions include the payment of a land premium assessed at full market value and the provision of at least 20 per cent of tee-times by the SLTDC at the proposed private golf course for public use, etc.

     As with other restored landfill sites, the land use of the SWRL is extremely limited because it cannot accommodate excessive loading as a result of differential ground settlement of the land. Due to issues related to loading, prohibition of excavation works, maintenance and repair works, etc, restored landfill sites are mostly used as parks or other recreational means. The SWRL has in fact been planned as a golf course development in the Tai Po Outline Zoning Plan. 

     After about three years of negotiation, the Government has largely reached a consensus with the SLTDC on the basic terms and conditions to be incorporated into the proposed non-in-situ land exchange. The land title checking for the private lots to be surrendered by the SLTDC under the established procedures is also close to completion. In 2019, the SLTDC also completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed development of a private golf course at the SWRL in accordance with the requirements of the EIA Ordinance (Cap. 499) and was issued an Environmental Permit.

     When the proposed land exchange is completed, together with the land owned by the Government at SLT and the land to be conserved in collaboration with the SLTDC, the total area available to the Government for long-term conservation there will be over 50 hectares. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) or a non-governmental organisation engaged by the AFCD will be responsible for the long-term management and conservation of the SLT habitats. The AFCD will formulate an appropriate nature conservation and management plan for the protection of important habitats, restoration of abandoned agriculture land, enhancement of the ecological value of secondary woodlands, maintaining the habitat diversity, removal of exotic species, etc. These actions will contribute to the effective conservation of biodiversity in SLT and enhance its ecological connection with the country park in the vicinity. The AFCD will also set up facilities like educational signage in suitable locations and maintain existing trails where necessary to facilitate the public’s appreciation and enjoyment of the ecology and environment of SLT. Public education activities will be organised to give visitors a better understanding of the biodiversity and cultural heritage there, and raise public awareness of and community participation in the conservation of SLT.

     The Government will continue to take forward the work of the latter phase of the land exchange with the SLTDC. As mentioned above, the SLTDC is required to pay a land premium assessed at full market value by the Lands Department in accordance with established procedures, which will reflect the market value of the SWRL as a private golf course. After the completion of the entire land exchange, relevant land exchange documents will be registered in the Land Registry and made available for public inspection, including the amount of the premium paid. The SLTDC is also required to obtain all necessary approvals before commencing the proposed golf course development project at the SWRL. 

     The spokesman reiterated that the proposed non-in-situ land exchange is a very unique, exceptional and isolated case. It is an arrangement made under the consideration of the concurrent existence of a combination of special circumstances in SLT, which includes the very high ecological value of the land there and its much needed active conservation, the ownership of the private land in SLT being largely unified under one entity, the lack of ecologically less sensitive land in SLT for appropriate development by the SLTDC, and a restored landfill site planned for a golf course development in the same district in Tai Po available for the purpose of a non-in-situ land exchange. The Government will not lightly consider this approach for the purpose of nature conservation. read more

     The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (February 10) held the “Rule of Law through Drama” 2021 online premiere, attracting registrations from over 100 schools and school sponsoring bodies, with around 400 viewers.

     The “Rule of Law through Drama” is one of the projects under the DoJ’s 10-year initiative “Vision 2030 for Rule of Law”. It comprises two sets of drama performances entitled “Xie Zhi: The Legend of Justice” and “The Adventure of Mr Auden”, specifically produced for lower and upper primary school students respectively.

     Through lively, interesting and interactive performances, the DoJ hopes that students can learn the proper concept of the rule of law, enhance law-abiding awareness and cultivate a law-abiding spirit.

     After the premiere, the dramas can be arranged for touring performances in all primary schools in Hong Kong. No fees are required and all primary schools are welcome to participate. If the performance cannot be conducted in schools, an online interactive performance can also be arranged. For further details, please email tour.hkdramaedu@gmail.com or fax 3016 9682.