The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (January 15) that the election of the 14th Council on Professional Conduct in Education (CPC) has been postponed due to difficulties in commencing the election activities scheduled for January amidst the COVID-19 epidemic. The term of all current members will be extended for a year to April 30, 2022.

     The normal term of office of CPC members is two years and the term of current CPC members is due to expire on April 30 this year. Activities for the change-of-term election (such as nomination of candidates, electioneering and question-and-answer sessions) normally begin in January, leading up to voting in April.

     A spokesman for the EDB said, "In view of the still severe epidemic situation, different sectors of our society should strictly comply with all anti-epidemic measures, including avoiding group gatherings and maintaining social distancing, to minimise the risk of community transmission. Because of the epidemic, schools have suspended face-to-face classes, most students are learning from home, and school staff are heavily engaged in meeting the challenge of the new normal of school education, and are planning, trying out, reviewing and refining new pedagogies to support students' learning, while also focusing on student support and school administrative work related to the epidemic. As a result, election-related work such as candidate nomination, electioneering and voting can hardly proceed."

     The spokesman added, "The election of the 14th CPC has been postponed and the current members' term will be extended for another year. The Permanent Secretary for Education has met with the Council members today over the aforesaid arrangement. The EDB will maintain close contact with the CPC and provide support as appropriate."

     The CPC was set up in April 1994 on the recommendation of the Education Commission in its Report No. 5. Its terms of reference are: (1) to advise the Government on measures to promote professional conduct in education; (2) to draft operational criteria defining the conduct expected of an educator and to gain widespread acceptance of these criteria among all sectors of the education community through consultation; and (3) to advise the Permanent Secretary for Education on cases of disputes or alleged professional misconduct involving educators.

     The EDB extended its gratitude to the Chairman of the 13th CPC and all the members for their valuable contribution to the work of the Council. The EDB will continue to collaborate with the Council in enhancing the professional conduct of teachers.

     The Housing Department (HD) yesterday (January 14) night learned that a part-time cleaning worker employed by one of its contractors has tested positive for COVID-19. He works at Sui Shek House, Shek Mun Estate, and is now staying in the AsiaWorld-Expo Community Treatment Facility for treatment.
 
     The cleaning worker resides at Hi Shek House of the Estate. He works part-time on the night shift at Sui Shek House. He last performed duties on January 11.

     He has no recent travel history. He has been wearing a face mask, and has been observing relevant disease prevention measures at work. When performing duties, he has been undergoing temperature checks and his body temperature was normal.

     The Estate Management Office of Shek Mun Estate as well as refuse collection rooms and common areas of Sui Shek House have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP).
 
     The HD will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP and co-operate with its quarantine work.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

　　As at 9am today (January 15), 53 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 8 684 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
　　At present, there are 678 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 224 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 539 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 25 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 41 patients are in critical condition, 31 are in serious condition and the remaining 467 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:
 

     The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (January 15) that it registered 18 lease modifications and two land exchanges in the Land Registry during the quarter ending December 2020, of which 10 were modifications of a technical nature involving nil premium.
         
     Among these 20 land transactions, five are located on Hong Kong Island, seven are in Kowloon and eight are in the New Territories. The transactions exclude Small House cases.
         
     A further three lots were granted by private treaty during the period. One was granted to the Hong Kong Housing Society for residential development in Yuen Long, one was granted to the MTR Corporation Limited for residential development in Tseung Kwan O and the other one was granted for the development of a non-profit-making post-secondary college in Tuen Mun.
         
     The above land transactions realised a total land premium of about $8,302.952 million.
         
     Transaction records of the lease modifications, land exchanges and private treaty grants, including those registered recently, are uploaded to the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk) on a monthly basis. Details of the transactions may be obtained by searching the registered documents in the Land Registry.
 

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by United Overseas Bank Ltd. on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.