Tag Archives: China

     To encourage the recovery and recycling of yard waste in the community, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 4) called on members of the public and commercial and industrial (C&I) organisations to recycle peach blossom trees (PBTs) intended for disposal after the Chinese New Year under the PBTs Recycling Programme. The Programme arrangements are as follows:
 

• Collection period: February 20 (Saturday) to 27 (Saturday);
• Collection points: A central collection point (CCP) in the EcoPark, Tuen Mun, and 52 district collection points (DCPs) (including 37 refuse collection points, six Outlying Islands Transfer Facilities and nine Recycling Stations). Please refer to the Annex for the locations and opening hours of the collection points. If members of the public and C&I organisations need to recycle PBTs before the collection period or from February 28 to March 6, appointments should be made with the EPD’s contractor (Tel: 5743 9221) prior to the delivery of the PBTs to the CCP in the EcoPark.

     An EPD spokesman said that the number of DCPs has increased from 43 last year to 52 this year in order to facilitate public participation in the Programme. Upon the commissioning of the yard waste recycling centre, Y‧PARK, in the second quarter of 2021 tentatively, suitable PBTs and other yard waste will be turned into more types of useful materials, such as compost and mulch for gardening and planting, wood boards and wood beams to facilitate its reuse, recycling or upcycling into decoration and wood art products, etc.

     The Programme is limited to the recycling of PBTs. Members of the public should pay attention to clean recycling, and all decorations, including fai chun and tape on the PBTs, should be removed before delivery to facilitate subsequent recycling processes. They are also encouraged to replant small potted plants such as tangerine trees and reuse festival decorations to help reduce waste and conserve resources. Furthermore, the recently completed Natural Christmas Trees (NCT) Recycling Programme has received a total of about 3 000 NCTs, reducing by about 30 tonnes the amount of yard waste disposed of at landfills. The quantity of yard waste collected was comparable with the amounts in the past two years despite the epidemic.

     An e-certificate will be issued to the participants who deliver PBTs to the CCP or the Recycling Stations for recycling. Participants will also receive a gift upon delivery of PBTs to the Recycling Stations while stocks last. For details of the Programme, please visit the Hong Kong Waste Reduction Website at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/Peach_Blossom_Trees_Recycling_Programme_2021.htm.

     In addition, there is co-operation between the PBTs Recycling Programme and the “GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme” this year. Participants who recycle PBTs at the Recycling Stations within the collection period can register to receive a GREEN$ Card, to earn GREEN$ for redemption of gift items when submitting recyclables. For details of the “GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme”, please visit the Hong Kong Waste Reduction website at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/community/crn_intro.htm.

     The EPD also welcomes other organisations and associations to provide recycling services for PBTs to help the public and C&I organisations to participate and enhance waste reduction efforts for all. read more

     The Government yesterday (February 3) 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 yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in Chai Wan (i.e. May Wah House, Hing Wah (I) Estate, 11 Wan Tsui Road, Chai Wan) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing were required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the area had undergone testing and the test results were mostly ascertained. Moreover, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring persons who had been present at May Wah House, Hing Wah (I) Estate, Chai Wan, for more than two hours from January 21 to February 3, 2021, even if they were not present in the “restricted area” at the time when the declaration took effect, to undergo compulsory testing before February 5. The Government announced the completion of the compulsory testing exercise at around 7am today (February 4) and carried out enforcement actions in the “restricted area” afterwards to verify that all people in the “restricted area” had undergone compulsory testing. The Government announced that the enforcement operation ended at about 10am today.

     In this exercise, the Home Affairs Department (HAD), the Eastern District Office, the Central and Western District Office, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Housing Department and the Auxiliary Medical Service mobilised around 480 staff to arrange for implementation of the declaration and enforcement actions for breaches of the compulsory testing notice issued earlier.

     The Government provided simple food for persons subject to compulsory testing, including instant noodles, pasta, bread, canned food, cup noodles, soy milk and bottled water, so as to facilitate the dinner arrangements of some persons subject to compulsory testing. One box of masks and anti-epidemic goods packs, and more, were also provided to persons subject to compulsory testing to help them fight against the virus.

     The HAD also set up a hotline for people restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance. 

     The Government thanks persons subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding. With everyone’s co-operation and efforts, coupled with the tireless efforts of the testing contractors, residents have been informed about their testing results by SMS notification. After finishing the compulsory testing exercise at about 7am today, the Government took enforcement action in the “restricted area” immediately to verify that all people in the “restricted area” had undergone testing according to the requirements of the declaration and the compulsory testing notice. Persons who could present an SMS notification containing a negative testing result or wore a wristband as proof of having undergone the compulsory testing could leave the “restricted area” through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer. The enforcement operation was completed at about 10am. Three persons were found to have not undergone compulsory testing, and a fixed penalty of $5,000 was issued to them. Taking into account the above situation, the Secretary for Food and Health revoked the “restriction-testing declaration” in accordance with Cap. 599J (see attachment).

     The Government hopes the some 30 households who have not answered the door will contact the Government for arrangement of testing as soon as possible after they read the notices put up by the Government, in the hope of eliminating the possible risk of further spread of the virus in the community.

     The Government understands that residents in the district are worried and anxious because of the increase in confirmed cases in recent days. The Government hopes this temporary inconvenience will completely cut the local transmission chains in the district 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 thanks all participating government staff and the testing agencies for their hard work. The Government also thanks the persons subject to compulsory testing again for their support and understanding, and their full co-operation during this period in undergoing testing and waiting for the results at home.

     The Government as a whole is united in fighting against the virus despite all the difficulties, and provided testing for all the residents in the district within a short period of time in the hope of achieving zero cases in the district.

     The Government will seriously follow up on the compliance situation of the compulsory testing notices and the “restriction-testing declaration” by persons subject to compulsory testing. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will 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 order or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. read more

     The Government yesterday (February 3) 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 8.30pm yesterday, by which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in To Kwa Wan (i.e. Block D, Honour Building, 78-80W To Kwa Wan Road, To Kwa Wan) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing were required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the area had undergone testing and the test results were mostly ascertained. Moreover, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring persons who had been present at the above building, for more than two hours from January 21 to February 3, 2021, even if they were not present in the “restricted area” at the time when the declaration took effect, to undergo compulsory testing before February 5. The Government announced the completion of the compulsory testing exercise at around 6.30am today (February 4) and carried out enforcement actions in the “restricted area” afterwards to verify that all people in the “restricted area” had undergone compulsory testing. The Government announced that the enforcement operation ended at about 9.45am today.

     In this exercise, the Home Affairs Department (HAD), the Kowloon City District Office, the Wong Tai Sin District Office, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, and the Auxiliary Medical Service mobilised around 240 staff to arrange for implementation of the declaration and enforcement actions for breaches of the compulsory testing notice issued earlier.

     The Government provided simple food for persons subject to compulsory testing, including canned food, instant noodles, soy milk and corn, etc, so as to facilitate the dinner arrangement of some persons subject to compulsory testing. One box of masks was also provided to persons subject to compulsory testing to help them fight against the virus.

     The HAD also set up a hotline for people restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance. 

     The Government thanks persons subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding. With everyone’s co-operation and efforts, coupled with the tireless efforts of the testing contractors, residents have been informed about their testing results by SMS notification. After finishing the compulsory testing exercise at about 6.30am today, the Government took enforcement actions in the “restricted area” immediately to verify that all people in the “restricted area” have undergone testing according to the requirements of the declaration and the compulsory testing notice. Persons who could present an SMS notification containing a negative testing result or wore a wristband as proof of having undergone the compulsory testing could leave the “restricted area” through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer. The enforcement operation completed at about 9.45 am. None of them was found not to have undergone compulsory testing. Taking into account the above situation, the Secretary for Food and Health revoked the “restriction-testing declaration” in accordance with Cap. 599J (see attachment).

     The Government hopes the households who have not answered the door will contact the Government for arrangement of testing as soon as possible after they read the notices put up by the Government, in the hope of eliminating the possible risk of a further spread of the virus in the community.

     The Government understands that residents in the district are worried and anxious because of the increase in confirmed cases in recent days. The Government hopes this temporary inconvenience will completely cut the local transmission chains in the district 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 thanks all participating government staff and the testing agencies for their hard work. The Government also thanks the persons subject to compulsory testing again for their support and understanding, and their full co-operation during this period in undergoing testing and waiting for the result at home.

     The Government as a whole is united in fighting against the virus despite all the difficulties, and provided testing for all the residents in the district within a short period of time in the hope of achieving zero cases in the district.

     The Government will seriously follow up on the compliance situation of the compulsory testing notices and the “restriction-testing declaration” by persons subject to compulsory testing. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (February 4) that more than 30 Inclusive Parks for Pets will be opened in various districts from February 6 (Saturday) to enable park users with or without pets to enjoy park facilities together in an inclusive environment.

     As there are more people keeping pets, and in response to the public’s requests for the LCSD to open parks for them to visit with pets, the trial scheme of Inclusive Park for Pets was launched on January 1, 2019. Six parks under the purview of the LCSD were opened for members of the public to enter and use with their pets. A survey was conducted at the end of the year to review the effectiveness of the trial scheme, and nearly 80 per cent of the interviewees supported the regularisation of the pilot venues and provision of more Inclusive Parks for Pets.

     The LCSD has regularised the six pilot venues and will designate more than 30 additional leisure venues across the territory for use as Inclusive Parks for Pets starting from February 6, after consulting respective District Councils. In all, over 10 Inclusive Parks for Pets are located at promenades or parks nearby to bring vibrancy to the harbourfront areas. Please refer to the attachment for the list of venues.

     “The aim of Inclusive Parks for Pets is to enable members of the public who bring their pets into existing parks to use park facilities together in an inclusive environment, thereby promoting exchanges and integration in the community. When identifying suitable locations as Inclusive Parks for Pets, the department has considered different criteria, including the demand of the public for these facilities, size and location of the venues, ancillary facilities and their usage. Additional supporting facilities such as dog excreta collection bins and hand-washing facilities will be provided for the convenience of pet owners and their pets in light of the actual circumstances. Cleaning work will also be stepped up,” an LCSD spokesman said.

     “The LCSD will consider the views of the public on the new arrangements and open up more venues for pets in the future if a positive response is received,” the spokesman added.

     Park users should observe and follow the users’ code for Inclusive Parks for Pets. Dog owners should keep their dogs on a leash. They should make sure pets are kept under proper control and are effectively restrained from causing a nuisance or danger to others, and should clean up any mess caused by their pets and keep the environment clean and hygienic.

     Please browse www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/facilities/otherinfo/petpark.html for details. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in publ… read more