The Zoological and Botanical Gardens' mammal section has been temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 epidemic, but staff have implemented various measures to ensure the animals stayed active and healthy during the closure.

     News.gov.hk spoke to Leisure and Cultural Services Department Senior Amenities Assistant Cheung Wai-lam to find out about the anti-epidemic measures implemented at the gardens and how zookeepers maintain the highest standards of animal welfare.  
 
     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (December 27) in text and video format.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:
 
     The Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) will meet on Tuesday (December 29) to consider three applications for new issue of liquor licences.
 
     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Hong Kong:
—————
BAAN THAI in Sai Wan
Hapi Fish in Sheung Wan
Smoke & Barrel in Central
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. In response to the latest developments of coronavirus disease 2019, to avoid the gathering of people in an enclosed environment and to safeguard the health of all participants, public seats will not be available for all open hearings of the LLB in the interim.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
     
     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (December 27) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     Immigration Department (ImmD) spokesman today (December 27) revealed that the department was notified by the Centre for Protection (CHP) last night, a Vietnamese illegal immigrant detained at the Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre (CIC) was tested positive for COVID-19.
      
     In view of the latest development of the COVID-19 epidemic, all persons newly admitted to the CIC will undergo deep throat saliva testing.
      
     Three Vietnamese illegal immigrants were sent to the CIC on December 25 for detention pending removal. They were put under isolation and were required to undergo deep throat saliva testing. The three persons concerned had not been in contact with any other detainees in the CIC or any members of the public while waiting for the test result and relevant Immigration staff members had donned appropriate personal protective equipment. Among them, one was confirmed tested positive for COVID-19 on the evening of December 26 and was admitted to hospital for treatments immediately. The other two detainees being isolated in the same confinement who had close contact with the Vietnamese concerned were confirmed tested negative for COVID-19 and were also arranged to stay in quarantine centres for quarantine and medical surveillance.
      
     The ImmD will proactively co-operate with the CHP's measures and instructions of disease prevention and control including arranging COVID-19 testings for all detainees and Immigration staff members at the CIC. The CIC has also immediately suspended all visits until further notice. The ImmD had carried out thorough cleaning and disinfection works for the detention facilities concerned.