The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) continued to take stringent enforcement action relating to anti-epidemic regulations during the New Year period. The FEHD stepped up inspections in various districts and conducted joint operations with the Police in Wan Chai and Sham Shui Po yesterday (January 3). The Government reminded catering business and scheduled premises operators to strictly comply with the requirements and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Regulation), and customers patronising catering premises to comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions, including the requirements on group gatherings and wearing of masks.
 
     A total of 55 catering premises were inspected during the joint operations, and 665 catering premises and 145 other premises were inspected by the FEHD on its own yesterday. The FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against nine catering business operators suspected of breaching the requirements under the Regulation (relating to distance or partitioning between tables and mask wearing). The FEHD also issued one fixed penalty notice to a person for violating the mask-wearing requirement. In addition, the FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against one person suspected of operating food businesses without a licence in contravention of the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). Enforcement action was also taken by the Police during the joint operations.
 
     During the past four days (December 31, 2020, to January 3), the FEHD (including in joint operations involving other departments) inspected a total of 3 522 catering premises and 561 other premises, and initiated procedures on prosecution against 40 catering business/other operators suspected of breaching the requirements under the Regulation (including one providing dine-in services after 6pm). The FEHD also issued fixed penalty notices to two persons for violating the mask-wearing requirement, and initiated procedures on prosecution against three persons for breaching other Ordinances (one case for operating food businesses without a licence, one case for illegal extension of business area and one case causing obstruction in public places). In addition, during the joint operations for two days in the vicinity of Pei Ho Street Market and Cooked Food Market in Sham Shui Po, the FEHD issued a total of 10 verbal warnings to the relevant hawkers and the Police issued a total of 12 fixed penalty notices for illegal parking, and the two departments cleared a total of over 2.6 tonnes of paraphernalia on the carriageway with the use of grab lorries. During the inspections in the northern New Territories, the FEHD found that two barbeque sites in North District were not in operation and the privately run facility involving admission of the public at Tai Tong in Yuen Long did not operate any places of public entertainment activities.
 
     An FEHD spokesman said, "According to the current directions issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to social distancing measures in catering business and scheduled premises under the Regulation, catering business operators must strictly comply with a series of requirements and restrictions, which include requirements that a person responsible for carrying on a catering business must cease selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on the premises of the business from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day; the number of people participating in a banquet in catering premises is limited to 20; no more than two persons may be seated together at one table within any catering premises, and the total number of customers allowed in catering premises must not exceed 50 per cent of the normal seating capacity; no live performance and dancing is allowed; a mask must be worn within the premises except when the person is consuming food or drink at a table therein; tables must be arranged in a way to ensure there is a distance of at least 1.5 metres or some form of partition which could serve as an effective buffer between one table and another table; body temperature screening must be conducted before the person is allowed to enter the catering premises; and hand sanitisers must be provided. In addition, a person responsible for carrying on a catering business must display the poster containing the 'LeaveHomeSafe' venue QR code at the entrance of the premises or at a conspicuous location. Relevant scheduled premises operators must strictly comply with the direction on closure of scheduled premises, which include places of public entertainment."
 
     If a person responsible for carrying on a catering business or scheduled premises contravenes the regulations under the Regulation, he or she is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
     Customers in breach of the requirement on no more than two persons per table within catering premises are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). Moreover, customers not wearing a mask when they are not eating or drinking at a table therein or they are not eating or drinking are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for contravening the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I).
 
     The spokesman stressed that the FEHD will continue to step up law enforcement and publicity efforts and will deploy additional manpower to conduct joint operations with the Police. Stringent enforcement action will be taken against offenders to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The FEHD also urged catering business and scheduled premises operators and the public to abide by the law.
 
     The spokesman reminded catering business and scheduled premises operators and the public to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together. He also appealed to the operators concerned to comply with relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner, with a view to keeping their staff, customers and the public safe. Members of the public also have to comply with the related regulations and directions on group gatherings and mask wearing at catering premises.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, January 4, the CHP was investigating 53 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 9 018 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 9 017 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, 10 had a travel history during the incubation period.

     A total of 812 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (December 21 to January 3), including 745 local cases of which 269 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 the 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.

     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.

     Hongkong Post said today (January 4) that a counter staff member of To Kwa Wan Post Office was preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19, and has been sent to the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo for medical treatment.
      
     The counter staff member concerned last performed duty on December 31, 2020. His body temperature was normal during temperature screening at work. He has been wearing masks while on duty and working at the counter behind a partition to keep appropriate distance from customers. He felt unwell at night on December 31 and underwent COVID-19 testing on January 2, 2021. This morning he was notified by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of his preliminary positive result.
      
     After learning about the case at around noon today, Hongkong Post immediately closed To Kwa Wan Post Office until January 5 for thorough cleaning and disinfection of all facilities and mail items in the office, pursuant to the guidelines set out by the CHP. Hongkong Post is rendering its full support to the CHP for its investigation and tracing effort, and instantly informed the 13 staff members on duty at To Kwa Wan Post Office for the past 14 days and has arranged for them to undergo COVID-19 testing. While awaiting the test results, the staff concerned will rest at home.
      
     In view of the closure of To Kwa Wan Post Office, members of the public may use postal services at Gillies Avenue Post Office (G/F, 140 Gillies Avenue North, Hung Hom) nearby. Hongkong Post apologises for the inconvenience caused. For enquiries, the public may call the counter services hotline at 2525 5856 during office hours.
      
     Hongkong Post has always attached great attention to the occupational health and safety of its staff by conducting body temperature screening for all front-line staff (including counter staff); providing them with protective gear such as face shields, protective goggles, masks, alcohol-based handrub, gloves and alcohol swabs; and requiring them to wear masks when performing duties and stepping up the cleaning of their working environment.
      
     In addition, Hongkong Post has been implementing various measures on social distancing and infection prevention at all post offices throughout the epidemic, such as placing sterilisation mats at main entrances, checking body temperature for people entering post offices and requiring them to use alcohol-based handrub and wear masks, placing partitions on writing desks in the lobby and at service counters, and implementing crowd control arrangements. Hongkong Post has also applied a durable anti-microbial coating in all post offices (including post office box lobbies and public facilities) and put up signs at the entrances of individual post offices to keep its staff and the public informed of the effective period of the coating.

     Hongkong Post will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. Staff members are also reminded to take note of their personal hygiene and stay vigilant at all times, and they are also advised to seek medical advice immediately in case of feeling unwell.

     Police today (January 4) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Hung Hom.

     Yeung Kam-mun, aged 52, went missing after he left an elderly home on Lok Shan Road, Hung Hom on December 31, 2020 afternoon. A staff member of the elderly home made a report to Police on January 2.

     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 67 kilograms in weight and of fat build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt, black trousers and blue slippers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (January 4), 44 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 8 055 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 691 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 259 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 728 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 23 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 50 patients are in critical condition, 45 are in serious condition and the remaining 633 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: