â€‹Hongkong Post today (January 13) announced that, as advised by the postal administration of Croatia, due to the earthquake that took place in the region of the cities Petrinja and Sisak, delivery services of all mail (including Speedpost) provided by the post offices listed below are subject to delay.
 

     In addition, as advised by the postal administration of Spain, all mail delivery services (including Speedpost) to Spain are also subject to delay due to heavy snowfall.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     Further to the passage of the motion at the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting today (January 13) to enable the relevant committees to meet remotely by video conference, Mr Tommy Cheung, Chairman of Panel on Housing, has decided that the Panel meeting scheduled for tomorrow (January 14) at 9.30am be conducted by Zoom videoconferencing.
 
     Meanwhile, Mr Chung Kwok-pan, Chairman of Panel on Commerce and Industry, has decided to switch the informal meeting of the Panel for policy briefing on January 15 at 11.30am into a formal meeting by videoconferencing.
 
     Members of the public can watch or listen to the meetings via the Webcast system on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk).  Archives of all open virtual meetings will also be available for public access via the system.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, January 13, the CHP was investigating 42 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 9 386 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 9 385 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     A total of 619 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (December 30 to January 12), including 565 local cases of which 173 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.
 
     In view of the latest epidemic developments in the Mainland, starting tomorrow (January 14), inbound travellers who have been to Shanxi Province in the past 14 days arriving via land boundary control points will be provided with specimen collection containers. They are required to collect their deep throat saliva samples by themselves in accordance with the instructions and return the samples for conducting COVID-19 testing. For the arrangement of distributing specimen collection containers to inbound travelers who have been to Tianjin, Sichuan Province, Heilongjiang Province, Liaoning Province, Beijing and Hebei Province in the past 14 days arriving via land boundary control points, which has come into effect earlier, the arrangement remains unchanged.

     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 has exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and published in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) said today (January 13), "To cut the transmission chain in the community as soon as possible, the Government has expanded the scope for 'compulsory testing on mandatory basis'. If confirmed cases not epidemiologically linked to each other were found in two or more units in the same building in the past 14 days, the building would be included in the compulsory testing notice under Cap. 599J. Persons who had been present at the relevant building in the past 14 days will have to undergo compulsory testing. One building fulfilling the above criteria is covered by the compulsory testing notice today."

     Details of persons subject to compulsory testing are as follows:

     Any person who had been present at Chun Wai House of Tin Ma Court, 55 Chuk Yuen Road, Wong Tai Sin, for more than two hours at any time during the period from December 31, 2020, to January 13, 2021 (including but not limited to visitors, residents and workers), have to undergo testing by January 16, 2021. If persons subject to compulsory testing have previously undergone testing between January 11 and January 13, 2021, they would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notice.
  
     The Government will set up a mobile specimen collection station at the badminton court and basketball court outside Chun Sing House (Block A) of Tin Ma Court starting from tomorrow (January 14). Apart from mobile specimen collection stations, persons subject to compulsory testing can also choose to attend any of the community testing centres in all districts to receive testing free of charge. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are in the Annex.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:
 
1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
 
2. To attend any of the community testing centres (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/);
 
3. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
 
4. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority;
 
5. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the Department of Health and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf); or
 
6. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the Centre for Health Protection (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the sample collected as per the relevant guidelines.

     The spokesman cautioned that testing received at accident and emergency departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     "If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the community testing centres."

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notification containing the result of the test for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notice should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the community testing centres, they can check the centre's appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the community testing centres are at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info/.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notice. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notice 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 order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The spokesman said, "The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons. The FHB will publish compulsory testing notices regarding particular groups when necessary taking into account the epidemic developments and the testing participation rate." 

     The Court of Appeal (the CA) handed down today (January 13) its judgment on the appeals against the Court of First Instance (CFI)'s ruling on the judicial review application challenging the Small House Policy. The CA ruled that all components under the Policy, namely the arrangements of Free Building Licence (FBL), Private Treaty Grant (PTG) and Land Exchange, are lawful traditional rights and interests of the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories within the meaning of Article 40 of the Basic Law, and hence lawful and constitutional.
      
     "The Government welcomes the CA's judgment," a spokesman for the Development Bureau said.
      
     According to the spokesman, the Government will continue to implement the Policy. In respect of the applications for government land to build small houses through PTG and Land Exchange, which the Government has suspended receiving and processing in the light of the CFI's judgment, the Government will study the CA judgment and arrange to resume the receipt and processing of these two types of applications. 
      
     The Small House Policy has been implemented since 1972. The forms of grants under the Policy include FBL which allows applicants to build small houses on their private land, PTG for grant of government land to build small houses, and Land Exchange allowing applicants to build small houses on private land or government land. In its judgment on the judicial review of April 8, 2019, and the subsequent order of April 30, 2019, the CFI ruled that the arrangements to apply for building small houses on private land through FBL and Land Exchange under the Policy, being the lawful traditional rights and interests of the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories within the meaning of Article 40 of the Basic Law, are lawful and constitutional, while the arrangements to apply for government land for building small houses through PTG and Land Exchange are not. All the parties lodged appeal. The CA ruled today that the Government's appeal was allowed.