Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 9, the CHP was investigating 26 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 694 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 693 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, five are imported cases.
 
     A total of 509 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (January 26 to February 8), including 469 local cases of which 152 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.
 
     Regarding the severe epidemic situation, 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

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the Hongkong Bank Foundation 40th Anniversary Ceremony this afternoon (February 9):

Peter (Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), Mr Peter Wong), David (former Chairman of the Hongkong Bank Foundation Mr David Eldon), Diana (Chief Executive of Hong Kong of HSBC, Ms Diana Cesar), ladies and gentlemen joining us online,

     Good afternoon. I am most delighted to have this opportunity to officiate and share the joy with you at the Hongkong Bank Foundation 40th Anniversary Ceremony today. Let me first extend my warmest congratulations to the Foundation on its splendid achievements. The Foundation, if I may say so, is a shining example of corporate social responsibility, and vividly demonstrates that HSBC is a caring and responsible social citizen.

     Since its establishment back in 1981, the Foundation has committed more than HK$2.2 billion in support of a great variety of projects addressing the community needs of Hong Kong, ranging from social welfare, education and  healthcare to the environment and so on. Ten years ago, the ceremony celebrating the Foundation’s 30th anniversary, I attended that very important occasion as Secretary for Labour and Welfare. Over the past decade, I have witnessed the rapid and remarkable growth of the Foundation, in particular how it has worked hand in glove with different non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the wider community to provide support for social needs and the key elements for sustainable growth of Hong Kong.

     We always stress the value of tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community in the development of social services.  

     To this end, the Government is committed to building a caring and cohesive community and looking after the underprivileged. Recurrent government spending on social welfare has risen from about HK$38 billion back in 2010-11 to nearly HK$94 billion now in the current financial year, up by 150 per cent in a decade. In the business sector, the Foundation has been a key propeller of social services. Just to cite a notable example, the Foundation has funded the HSBC Hong Kong Community Partnership Programme 2020 with HK$36 million, supporting up to 100 worthy projects in a wide range of areas in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

     With the global economy hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, people around the world are having a rough and tough time, and we in Hong Kong are no exception. Food assistance is an instant and effective means to help the grass roots tide over their difficulties. The Foundation has collaborated with Food Angel and St James’ Settlement  in providing in-kind food and meal coupons to the elderly, the poor and families in need. This initiative effectively supplements the Government’s Short-term Food Assistance Service Projects run by the Social Welfare Department. The support from the Government and the Foundation to NGOs has been proven timely and necessary. It once again demonstrates the importance of tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community.  

     On this harmonious note, I would like to pay warm tribute to the Foundation for its sterling support and contribution to the Hong Kong community. I am sure that the Foundation will continue to draw on its resources and networks to contribute to our caring culture and  maintain its strong momentum to build a sustainable society, and a caring, compassionate and cohesive community. May I close by wishing you all a very healthy, happy, harmonious and prosperous year of the Ox! 

      

     The Government today (February 9) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a “restriction-testing declaration” effective from 7pm, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in To Kwa Wan (i.e. Kiu Yu Mansion, 86-94H Lok Shan Road, and Kiu Fat Mansion, 96-106J Lok Shan Road, To Kwa Wan; see Annex) are required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the area have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. The Government aims at finishing this exercise at about 7.30am tomorrow (February 10), in order to achieve the goal of zero cases in the district with concerted efforts.
         
     A Government spokesman said, “Under Cap. 599J, the Government can, according to the needs of infection control, make a ‘restriction-testing declaration’. Whilst no confirmed cases were recently recorded in Kiu Yu Mansion, 86-94H Lok Shan Road, and Kiu Fat Mansion, 96-106J Lok Shan Road, To Kwa Wan, sewage samples from the above buildings tested positive. After assessment of the conditions of the buildings, as well as the potential risk of infection, the Government decided to make a ‘restriction-testing declaration’ for the relevant area as a prudent measure.”
 
     The Government will set up temporary specimen collection stations at the “restricted area” and request persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo testing before 2am tomorrow. Persons subject to compulsory testing will be arranged to undergo nucleic acid testing at specimen collection stations where dedicated staff will collect samples through combined nasal and throat swabs. Persons subject to compulsory testing must stay at their place of residence until all test results are ascertained to avoid cross-infection risk. The Government will arrange door-to-door specimen collection for people with impaired mobility and elderly persons.
         
     “We understand that this exercise will cause inconvenience to the public. The Government has made arrangements to carry out testing for all persons present in the ‘restricted area’ as soon as possible at night after most people are released from work. The aim is to strive to complete testing of all identified persons subject to compulsory testing and confirm the results, and finish the exercise at around 7.30am tomorrow with a view to allowing residents to start going to work at around 7.30am. The Government will make a public announcement when the declaration expires officially. In the cases in which employees are unable to go to work because of the declaration, the Government hopes their employers can exercise discretion and not deduct the salaries or benefits of the employees.”
    
     If staying in the “restricted area” will cause unreasonable hardship to an individual who is not a resident in the area when the declaration takes effect, government officers may exercise discretion and allow that person to leave the area after considering the individual circumstances. That person must have followed the instructions to undergo testing and leave his or her personal information for contact purposes.
 
     Persons in the “restricted area” who have undergone testing from February 7 to 9, 2021, and are able to provide the SMS notification through a mobile phone or related certification containing the test results, are not required to take the test again. However, they are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the area have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. Also, according to the compulsory testing notice issued today, any person who had been present at the above buildings for more than two hours from January 27 to February 9, 2021, even if they were not present in the “restricted area” at the time when the declaration took effect, must undergo compulsory testing by February 11.
         
     The Government has prepared simple food and basic cleaning supplies for the residents restricted by the declaration. The Home Affairs Department has set up a hotline (Tel: 2835 1473). The hotline services started operation at 7pm today for residents restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance. The Social Welfare Department will also provide assistance to the affected persons.
         
     The Government hopes this temporary inconvenience will completely cut the local transmission chains and ease residents’ worries and fear, so that they will regain confidence in resuming social and business activities in the area, and return to a normal life.
        
     The Government appeals to persons subject to compulsory testing for their full co-operation by registering and undergoing testing, and waiting for the results patiently at home. The Government will strictly follow up on whether the persons concerned have complied with the compulsory testing notices and “restriction-testing declaration”. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:        The first meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee on Insurance (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 (Commencement) Notice and Insuran… read more

     The Department of Health (DH) said today (February 9) that its Student Health Service (SHS) has required a contractor providing X-ray examination to students to follow the contractual requirement of using breast and gonad shiel… read more