Today (December 31) is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department (CSD).

     The CSD (initially known as the Prisons Department) started to manage all prison facilities in Hong Kong after it was formally separated from the Police in 1920. To celebrate the centenary of the CSD, a group of correctional officers have composed five songs and compiled them into a commemorative album entitled "A Century of Passion". The album depicts the contributions of the CSD to society over the past 100 years, as well as correctional officers' mission as the last element of the criminal justice system with its dual role in ensuring safe custody and rehabilitation.

     The Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Woo Ying-ming, said in a special message in the commemorative album, "A century ago, the CSD officially undertook the mission of upholding the last element for society. In all eras there are criminals violating the law and order in society, including those using violence or abusing drugs as well as teenagers who have gone astray. A safe and harmonious society is upheld with the presence of correctional officers who strive to perform their duties through thick and thin, and spare no effort to look after and provide guidance to persons in custody. When rehabilitated offenders lead a new life, the numbers of victims and families affected are subsequently reduced. A century has gone by, and society has become more complicated. To cater for the needs of the ever-changing society, correctional work has also become more diverse. As the Commissioner amid the centenary, I am devoted to leading the department into a new era in the aspects of safe custody, rehabilitation work and community education. My team and I will continue to work together to uphold the rule of law with courage and dedication."

     In addition to the five songs in the commemorative album, the production team has specially produced exclusive music videos and musical accompaniment versions to present the five songs in visual, instrumental and singing versions.

     Different versions of the five songs have been uploaded to the website of the 100th anniversary of the CSD. Members of the public are welcome to visit: csd.intnex.hk/100a/studio/tc/.　

     On its 100th anniversary, the CSD has also launched an official Facebook page to enhance communication with the public through social media. For details, please visit www.facebook.com/csd.gov.hk or scan the attached QR code.

    

     The Lands Department announced today (December 31) that in respect of the tender for the site New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6603 at Kai Tak Area 4E Site 1, Kai Tak, Kowloon, which was awarded on December 2 to the successful tenderer, Asia Power Development Limited (parent company: China Overseas Land & Investment Limited), on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $4,272,800,000, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows:

(1) $4,148,000,000
(2) $4,121,900,000
(3) $4,106,000,000
(4) $4,033,000,000
(5) $3,883,180,000
(6) $3,882,280,000
(7) $3,860,000,000
(8) $3,715,000,000
(9) $3,578,000,000
 
     The information disclosed in this press release is for information only.

     The Government will amend the compulsory testing notice gazetted on December 30 by removing three specified premises from the compulsory testing list.

     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) said today (December 31), "To cut the transmission chain in the community as soon as possible, the Government exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and issued a compulsory testing notice on December 30. 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, persons who had been present at the relevant building in the past 14 days will have to undergo compulsory testing.
      
     "Upon further checking by the Centre for Health Protection, it is noted that three buildings on the list do not fulfil the criteria of having confirmed cases not epidemiologically linked to each other in two or more units in the past 14 days. Accordingly, the Government would publish amendments to the relevant compulsory testing notice in the gazette and remove the three buildings from the compulsory testing list, extending apologies to members of the public for any inconvenience caused.
      
     "Although the three buildings do not fulfil the criteria of compulsory testing, confirmed cases were recorded therein recently. Therefore, despite the removal of the buildings from the compulsory testing list, we still encourage the residents to undergo testing for effective and early identification of COVID-19 infected persons. The community testing centres will continue to provide free testing to persons who had been present at the relevant buildings."
      
     The details of the three buildings removed from the compulsory testing list are as follows:
 

1. Hiu Sing House, Hiu Lai Court, 21 Hiu Kwong Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
2. On Lam House, Tsui Lam Estate, 11 Tsui Lam Road, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
3. Wah Yan House, Ching Wah Court, 22 Tsing Chin Street, Tsing Yi, New Territories, Hong Kong

 
     The amended compulsory testing list is at the Annex. Any person who had been present on any specified premises listed in the Annex for more than two hours at any time during the period from December 17 to December 30, 2020 (including but not limited to visitors, residents and workers), have to undergo testing by January 4, 2021. If persons subject to compulsory testing have previously undergone testing between December 28 and December 30, 2020, they would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notices.
      
     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 following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (December 31), 90 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. Including a patient (case number: 7827) discharged on December 29, a total of 7 813 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged so far.
 
     At present, there are 691 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 259 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 788 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 22 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 51 patients are in critical condition, 47 are in serious condition and the remaining 690 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 (December 31) that a site, Rural Building Lot No. 1222 at Nos. 9 and 11 Mansfield Road, The Peak, Hong Kong, in the 2020-21 Land Sale Programme will be disposed of by public tender. The tender invitation for the lot will commence on January 8, 2021, and close on February 5, 2021.
      
     Rural Building Lot No. 1222 has a site area of about 5,067 square metres and is designated for private residential purposes. The minimum gross floor area and the maximum gross floor area are 8,081 sq m and 13,468 sq m respectively. The maximum gross floor area is subject to Special Condition No. (9)(b)(ii)(II) in the Conditions of Sale.
 
     Land sale documents including the Form of Tender, the Tender Notice, the Conditions of Sale and the sale plan of the lot will be available for downloading from the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk), and the sale plan will be available for distribution and inspection by the public from January 8, when the particulars of the tender will also be gazetted.