Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, January 25, the CHP was investigating 73 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 10 159 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 10 158 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, four are imported cases.
 
     A total of 843 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (January 11 to 24), including 803 local cases of which 296 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.
 
     Starting from today, inbound travellers who have been to designated areas of Mainland China in the past 14 days arriving via land boundary control points are provided with one more specimen collection container (total of two containers). They are required to collect their deep throat saliva samples by themselves on Day 2 and Day 12 after arrival in accordance with the instructions and return the samples for conducting COVID-19 testing. Designated areas of Mainland China that have come into effect earlier include Heilongjiang Province, Liaoning Province, Beijing, Hebei Province, Shanxi Province, Jilin Province, Guangxi Province, Shaanxi Province, Tianjin and Shanghai.
 
      Moreover, in view of the latest epidemic developments in the Mainland, starting tomorrow (January 26), inbound travellers who have been to Shandong Province in the past 14 days arriving via land boundary control points will also be provided with two specimen collection containers. On the other hand, the previous arrangement to provide specimen collection containers to inbound travellers arriving via land boundary control points who have been to Tianjin in the past 14 days will be cancelled from tomorrow. These travellers, if they are not exempted persons, are subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days at a designated place (home or other accommodation) upon arrival in Hong Kong.
 
      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

     Children who have joined the Primary One Admission (POA) System for 2021 but have not yet secured a discretionary place can take part in the Central Allocation process by making their choice of schools on either January 30 (Saturday) or January 31 (Sunday).

     “By participating in Central Allocation, these students will be allocated a government or aided primary school place,” a spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (January 25).

     “The School Places Allocation Section of the bureau has sent letters to the parents concerned inviting them to make their choice of schools at a specified Central Allocation Centre at an assigned time slot from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on January 30 and from 9.30am to 12.30pm on January 31.
 
     “Parents who have not yet received the invitation letter from the EDB should call the School Places Allocation Section at 2832 7700 as soon as possible.
      
     “In light of the latest epidemic developments of COVID-19, to reduce the gathering of people and maintain social distancing, the bureau will arrange for the parents of applicant children to make school choices at the Central Allocation Centres in different time slots on the dates specified above according to the applicant children’s POA application number. Parents are requested to follow the instructions of the letter and make their choice of schools at the Central Allocation Centre within the specified time slot on the specified date. Parents who cannot make school choices within the specified time slot can go to the designated Central Allocation Centre from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on January 31 to proceed with the related procedures. The bureau has also arranged to send the Choice of Schools Form together with the letter for parents to fill in in advance to reduce their length of stay at the Central Allocation Centre.
      
     “If parents are under compulsory quarantine or other related measures and are unable to make school choices in person or through their authorised representatives at the Central Allocation Centre on the specified date, they may contact the School Places Allocation Section (hotline at 2832 7700) for appropriate assistance.
     
     “Apart from the above, in view of the immigration control implemented amidst the epidemic, should individual parents of applicant children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong or parents who are outside Hong Kong be unable to go to the Central Allocation Centre to make school choices in person, they could authorise in writing a representative to bring the completed Choice of Schools Form and the Letter of Authorisation to proceed with the related procedures. If parents are not able to make school choices in person or through their authorised representatives, they could arrange to return the duly completed form by post to the EDB’s School Places Allocation Section on or before January 31.”
  
     Parents who have recently moved or have plans to move in the near future are required to inform the School Places Allocation Section as soon as possible so that they can make school choices in the POA School Net where their new home is located. Parents should fill in the actual residential address of their child. If a false address is given by parents to secure a Primary One (P1) place for their child, the application will be rendered void and the P1 place allocated will be withdrawn.

     The bureau has put in place a monitoring mechanism to verify the residential addresses of children as given by the parents. Random checks of applicant children’s addresses are also being stepped up. The public are encouraged to report suspected cases of individuals using a false address to the School Places Allocation Section by calling the hotline at 2832 7700. As in previous years, the bureau will take appropriate action against false address cases.

     For information about the procedures for Central Allocation, parents may call the bureau’s 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service at 2891 0088.

     Central Allocation is composed of two parts. Part A, which takes up 10 per cent of the P1 places earmarked for Central Allocation, is for unrestricted school choices. Parents can choose up to three government or aided primary schools in any school nets. Part B takes up the remaining 90 per cent of the P1 places earmarked for Central Allocation. Parents of applicant children residing in the school net concerned are to select schools from the “Choice of Schools List for Central Allocation” of their school net, while parents of applicant children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong are to select schools from the “Choice of Schools List for Central Allocation (For Applicant Children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong)”. Parents should fill in the Choice of Schools Form in the order of their preference.

     The computer-programmed Central Allocation will first process the school choices in Part A and then the school choices in Part B. The allocation process basically follows the parents’ choice. For oversubscribed schools, the order of priority in allocating P1 places will be determined by random numbers generated by the computer for individual applications. This is to ensure fairness to all applicant children.

     For applications for participation in POA 2021 after January 31, parents need to complete the necessary procedures with the School Places Allocation Section of the bureau. The bureau will separately arrange P1 places for the applicant children this June.

     In the event of adverse weather or other special conditions on any day(s) during the period of making school choices, please pay heed to radio or television announcements on any special arrangements.

     The results of Central Allocation for POA 2021 will be sent to parents by post from June 2 to June 3. Parents wishing to receive the results of Central Allocation of their applicant children via SMS message on June 2 may provide a mobile phone number on the Choice of Schools Form and indicate their consent to receive the results via this mobile phone number. read more

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tuen Mun today (January 25) in which an 89-year-old woman died.      At 07.28am, a private car driven by a 24-year-old man reportedly knocked… read more

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announces today (January 25) that a tender of 10-year Government Bonds (Bonds) through the re-opening of existing 15-year Government Bond issue 15GB3007 under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme will be held on February 3 (Wednesday), for settlement on February 4 (Thursday).
 
     An additional amount of HK$1.7 billion of the outstanding 15-year Bonds (issue number 15GB3007) will be on offer. The Bonds will mature on July 16, 2030 and will carry interest at the rate of 2.13 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrears. The Indicative Pricings of the Bonds on January 25 is 112.24 with an annualised yield of 0.789 per cent.
      
     Under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme, tender is open only to Recognized Dealers which are appointed as Primary Dealers. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the current published list, which can be obtained from the Government Bond Programme’s website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.
 
     Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Government Bond Programme’s website, the Reuters screen (HKGBINDEX), and Bloomberg (GBHK <GO>) not later than 3pm on the tender day.

HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme tender information
——————————————————————————————-
     Tender information of re-opening of 15-year Government Bonds under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:
 

Issue Number	:	15GB3007 (Re-open)
Stock code	:	4227 (HKGB 2.13 3007)
Tender Date and Time	:	February 3, 2021 (Wednesday) 9.30am to 10.30am
Issue and Settlement Date for tender amount	:	February 4, 2021 (Thursday)
Amount on Offer	:	HK$1.7 billion
Maturity	:	10 years
Remaining Maturity	:	Approximately 9.45 years
Maturity Date	:	July 16, 2030
Interest Rate	:	2.13 per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrears
Interest Payment Dates	:	July 16, 2021 January 17, 2022 July 18, 2022 January 16, 2023 July 17, 2023 January 16, 2024 July 16, 2024 January 16, 2025 July 16, 2025 January 16, 2026 July 16, 2026 January 18, 2027 July 16, 2027 January 17, 2028 July 17, 2028 January 16, 2029 July 16, 2029 January 16, 2030 July 16, 2030
Method of Tender	:	Competitive tender
Tender Amount	:	Each competitive tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof. Any tender applications for the Bonds must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the current published list.   The accrued interest to be paid by successful bidders on the issue date (February 4, 2021) for the tender amount is HK$49.60 per minimum denomination of HK$50,000.   (The accrued interest to be paid for tender amount exceeding HK$50,000 may not be exactly equal to the figures calculated from the accrued interest per minimum denomination of HK$50,000 due to rounding).
Other details	:	Please see Information Memorandum available on the Government Bond Programme’s website at www.hkgb.gov.hk or approach Primary Dealers.
Expected commencement date of dealing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited	:	The tender amount is fully fungible with the existing 15GB3007 (Stock code: 4227) listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

 
Price/Yield Table of the re-opening Government Bonds at tender for reference* only:
 

Yield-to-Maturity	Price	Yield-to-Maturity	Price
-0.211	122.35	0.789	112.20
-0.161	121.82	0.839	111.72
-0.111	121.29	0.889	111.24
-0.061	120.76	0.939	110.76
-0.011	120.24	0.989	110.29
0.039	119.72	1.039	109.82
0.089	119.20	1.089	109.35
0.139	118.68	1.139	108.88
0.189	118.17	1.189	108.42
0.239	117.66	1.239	107.96
0.289	117.15	1.289	107.50
0.339	116.64	1.339	107.04
0.389	116.14	1.389	106.58
0.439	115.64	1.439	106.13
0.489	115.14	1.489	105.68
0.539	114.64	1.539	105.23
0.589	114.15	1.589	104.78
0.639	113.66	1.639	104.34
0.689	113.17	1.689	103.90
0.739	112.68	1.739	103.46
0.789	112.20	1.789	103.02

 
* Disclaimer
 
The information provided here is for reference only. Although extreme care has been taken to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, the HKMA does not warrant that all, or any part of, the information provided is accurate in all respects. You are encouraged to conduct your own enquiries to verify any particular piece of information provided on it. The HKMA shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any use or reliance on any of the information provided here. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:      The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (January 27) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Me… read more