The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (January 26), 45 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 9 101 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 672 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 220 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 852 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 22 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 34 patients are in critical condition, 32 are in serious condition and the remaining 786 patients are in stable condition.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.
 
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows:
 

     A 72-year-old man was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for 14 days by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (January 26) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) (the Regulation).

     The man was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on July 12, 2020, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 14 days.
 
     Pursuant to the Regulation, starting from February 8, 2020, all persons who have stayed in the Mainland, Macao or Taiwan in the 14 days preceding arrival in Hong Kong, regardless of their nationality or travel documents, will be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Moreover, pursuant to the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E), starting from December 25, 2020, all persons arriving at Hong Kong (either via the airport or land boundary control points) who have stayed in places outside China on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or during the 21 days before that day have to undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 days in designated quarantine hotels. Breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
     A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the Regulation. As of today, a total of 105 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority spokesperson today (January 26) announced that two patients confirmed with COVID-19 infection passed away at public hospitals.
 
     An 86-year-old female patient (case number: 6850) with chronic disease was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment on December 4, 2020. She was transferred to North Lantau Hospital for treatment on December 28. After treatment, the patient tested negative for the COVID-19 virus on January 11. Her condition continued to deteriorate due to pneumonia and she eventually succumbed at 11.17pm last night (January 25).
 
     In addition, a 90-year-old female patient (case number: 9542) with chronic diseases was admitted to a Queen Elizabeth Hospital isolation ward for treatment on January 16. Her condition continued to deteriorate and she eventually succumbed at 12.37pm today.
 
     The hospitals are saddened by the passing away of the patients and will offer the necessary assistance to their families.
 
     Including the above two patients, 168 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (January 26) on the progress of walkability enhancement measures in selected pilot areas and the highlights of the overall walkability strategy for Hong Kong, and discussed franchised bus operations.

     The Government has proposed a number of walkability enhancement measures for fostering a pedestrian-friendly environment. These measures, including setting up low speed limit zones and wayfinding signage, decluttering non-essential traffic signs and railings, levelling run-in/out points and installing raised crossings on bus routes, were tested out in the past three years. In addition, the Government has finalised the overall walkability strategy for Hong Kong, with a view to developing Hong Kong into a walkable city of world-class quality.

     The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, "Members support the Government in taking forward the walkability enhancement measures for territory-wide application. Members also welcome the formulation of the overall walkability strategy for Hong Kong, and support the Government to select suitable new development areas and built-up areas for implementing the comprehensive pedestrian planning framework."

     The Government strives to enhance the efficiency and quality of franchised bus services. Due to the substantial reduction in patronage and revenues of the franchised buses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary social distancing measures, the operators are facing a challenging operating environment. The TAC has also reviewed the fare increase applications of individual franchised bus operators.

     Professor Cheung added, "In accordance with the established practice, the TAC will submit its advice to the Government for consideration by the Chief Executive in Council."

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) and MUFG Bank, Ltd. (MUFG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (January 26) on an infrastructure loan sales framework.
      
     The MoU sets out the principal terms for potential infrastructure loan sales by MUFG to the HKMC, including the loan selection criteria, mode of sales and engagement process, with an aim to facilitate loan sale cooperation between MUFG and the HKMC. This represents the first MoU that the HKMC has signed with a commercial bank, and would further the mandates of the HKMC's Infrastructure Financing and Securitisation (IFS) business to fill the infrastructure financing market gaps and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as an infrastructure financing hub.
      
     The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the HKMC, Mr Raymond Li, said, "The MoU enhances the collaboration between MUFG and the HKMC which has started since the commencement of the IFS business of the HKMC. The steady and high quality infrastructure financing deal flow presented by MUFG is conducive to HKMC's business objective of infrastructure loan securitisation after accumulating a diversified and sizeable asset portfolio."
      
     MUFG's Head of Global Corporate and Investment Banking, Asia Pacific, Mr Richard Yorke, said, "MUFG is an active player in the infrastructure financing market, and as part of its overall strategy, has long sought to expand its investor base in Asia Pacific beyond the traditional banking sector. The HKMC is a key strategic partner for MUFG, and we hope this MoU will allow us to further enhance our partnership and accelerate the delivery of our respective business objectives."
 
About the HKMC
     The HKMC, established in 1997, is wholly-owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government through the Exchange Fund. Operating on prudent commercial principles, the HKMC strives to promote stability of the banking sector, wider home ownership, as well as development of the local debt market and retirement planning market. 
 
     To further its mandates on promoting banking sector stability and local debt market development, the HKMC commenced the implementation of the Infrastructure Financing and Securitisation business in 2019, with the aims to fill the infrastructure financing market gaps, facilitating infrastructure investment and financing flows; and to help consolidate Hong Kong's position as an infrastructure financing hub, benefitting financial and professional service sectors.
 
About MUFG
     Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world's leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with around 2 600 locations in more than 50 markets. The Group has over 180 000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing.
 
     The Group aims to "be the world's most trusted financial group" through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges.
 
     MUFG Bank, Ltd. is Japan's premier bank, with a global network spanning more than 50 markets. Outside of Japan, the bank offers an extensive scope of commercial and investment banking products and services to businesses, governments and individuals worldwide.
 
     In Asia, MUFG has a presence across 20 markets – Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
 
     It has also formed strategic partnerships with some of the most prominent banks in Southeast Asia, further augmenting its unrivalled network across the region – VietinBank in Vietnam, Krungsri in Thailand, Security Bank in the Philippines and Bank Danamon in Indonesia.