The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, February 5, the CHP was investigating 37 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 590 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 589 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, three are imported cases.
 
     A total of 685 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (January 22 to February 4), including 641 local cases of which 247 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.

     The Government today (Febraury 5) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" (declaration) effective from 7pm, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Yuen Long (i.e. Fu Loy Garden, 7 Ma Wang Road, Yuen Long. 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 7am tomorrow (February 6), 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'. As there is a confirmed case recorded in Fu Loy Garden, 7 Ma Wang Road, Yuen Long recently, and as assessed, the risk of infection in the relevant area may be higher, the Government decided to make 'restriction-testing declaration' for the relevant area."

     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 7am tomorrow with a view to allowing residents to start going to work at around 7am. 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."

     Persons in the "restricted area" who have undergone testing from February 3 to 5, 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 23 to February 5, 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 7.
      
     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) and a dedicated hotline (Tel: 3755 6816) for ethnic minorities. 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 understands the residents in the district are worried and anxious because of the increase in confirmed cases in recent days. Under the epidemic, businesses in the area have been hit hard and brought to a standstill. Residents' livelihoods are also affected. 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. 

     A 63-year-old man was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for four months by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (February 5) for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (the Regulation).
    
     The man was earlier diagnosed with COVID-19 and was hospitalised in a public hospital for treatment. On December 18, 2020, he left the hospital without permission and was subsequently located by police on December 20, 2020, after a search. He was charged with contravening sections 32(1) and 32(3) of the Regulation, and was sentenced by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for four months. 
 
     Pursuant to section 32 of the Regulation, a person shall not, knowing that he is a contact or is infected with a specified infectious disease, expose other persons to the risk of infection by the person's presence or conduct in any public conveyance or any street, public place, place of entertainment or assembly, club or hotel or by carrying on any trade, business or occupation. Offenders face a maximum fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
     A spokesman for the Department of Health said that cooperation by the public is the key to stop the spread of the disease in the community. Such irresponsible acts increase the risk of exposing other persons to infection. The Government severely condemns such acts and appeals to the public to adhere to the relevant regulations. As of today, a total of two persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching the Regulation in relation to COVID-19 and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to four months. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who breaches the regulations.

     In response to some media reports that repeatedly resort to biased language to describe the Department of Justice (DoJ)'s decisions on appeal or review in some criminal cases, the DoJ today (February 5) reiterated that all decisions on appeal or review are made after thorough consideration and strictly in accordance with relevant laws. The appeal or review cases are then determined by the courts in accordance with the law.
 
     In the course of the legal proceedings, prosecutors of the DoJ have the duty to provide accurate and comprehensive submissions on the law to assist the courts in the determination of cases. In respect of the sentences imposed by the courts, the DoJ will carefully consider the relevant information, including the reports of the prosecutors and the reasons for sentence of the courts. Where appropriate, applications for review of sentence may be instituted by the DoJ in accordance with the Magistrates Ordinance or the Criminal Procedure Ordinance. If the court's verdict of acquittal is perverse or erroneous in point of law, the DoJ may lodge an appeal under the Magistrates Ordinance or the District Court Ordinance.
 
     In 2020, the DoJ lodged a total of 17 applications for the review of sentence under section 81A of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance. Of the 12 such applications decided last year, 11 were allowed.
 
     The DoJ has all along strived to ensure the proper conduct of its prosecutions. Prosecutors have always adhered to the highest of professional standards in handling criminal cases for justice to be administered with equal measure and in an even-handed manner at all times. Regrettably, some media, without regard to the grounds put forward by the DoJ at the hearings and the reasons for decisions set out in the courts' judgments, use biased expressions in their reports which do not truly reflect the facts.

     Hong Kong Customs today (February 5) arrested a responsible person of a renovation company suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to the renovation service he supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a male responsible person of a renovation company had made a false claim to a customer that scaffolding works would be carried out for an air conditioner installation, with a relevant fee charged. The customer, however, found out later that the said works had never been carried out.

     After an investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 58-year-old man.

     An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.
     
     Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
     
     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).