Tag Archives: China

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Government launches “Enhanced Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Property Management Sector”

     The Home Affairs Department (HAD) announced today (May 30) that the Government will launch the “Enhanced Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Property Management Sector” (Enhanced ASPM) under the “Anti-epidemic Fund” by extending the subsidised period of the previous ASPM for three months (i.e. June to August 2020) and relaxing the caps on headcounts of the “Anti-epidemic Hardship Allowance” (“AHA”) per eligible building block to 100.

     “We understand that the epidemic situation may still be fluctuating, and hence the anti-epidemic measures should not be relaxed.  Continuous efforts in combating the epidemic would still be required, and the stepping up of cleansing and health protection efforts in properties is essential.  Under the Enhanced ASPM, we will extend the subsidised period and relax the caps on headcounts of the ‘AHA’, with a view to supporting more frontline property management (PM) workers and fighting the virus together,” a spokesman from HAD said.

     Under the Enhanced ASPM, frontline PM workers who have been performing duties related to security or environmental hygiene in private residential/composite (i.e. commercial cum residential) and industrial/commercial building blocks (including shopping malls) during the subsidised period (i.e. June to August 2020) will be eligible for a monthly “AHA” of $1,000 for the months in which they have provided service.  In other words, if these workers have benefitted from the previous ASPM (covering February to May), they will be eligible for a total “AHA” of $7,000 for seven months.

     “In view of the diverse nature of buildings and modes of management, although the current cap of headcounts of the ‘AHA’ is sufficient in covering most buildings, with a view to also including larger-scale properties and benefitting more frontline PM workers, the enhanced ASPM will relax the caps on headcounts of the ‘AHA’ per eligible building block to 100.  To avoid abuse, applicants may be required to submit supplementary information when their applications are being processed,” the spokesman added.

     Furthermore, in addition to the “Anti-epidemic Cleansing Subsidy” (“ACS”) of $2,000 under the ASPM before the enhancement, each eligible private residential/composite building block will be eligible for an extra subsidy of $2,000 under the Enhanced ASPM (i.e. a total of $4,000).  The amount of the “ACS” given to each eligible industrial/commercial building block will double that for each private residential/composite building block (i.e. a total of $8,000 during the entire subsidised period under the Enhanced ASPM).  The extra “ACS” can continue to alleviate the costs arising from heightened cleansing efforts and the burden on the owners and tenants.

     With the extension of the subsidised period and the relaxation of the cap of headcounts, to allow PM companies and owners’ organisations (OOs) more time to prepare for the application, the application deadline for the Enhanced ASPM is extended to July 15, 2020.  If PM companies and OOs have submitted applications for or their applications have already been approved under the previous ASPM, they do not need to submit a new application for the Enhanced ASPM.  HAD or the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) will contact the PM companies and OOs concerned direct.  The application details of the Enhanced ASPM will be announced shortly.

     As of May 30, the PMSA has received over 10 000 applications for the previous ASPM, of which around 7 700 applications have been approved.  The approved applications involve subsidies of over $250 million and benefit around 34 000 building blocks and over 64 000 frontline PM workers.  Please refer to the website of the PMSA (aspm.pmsahk.org.hk) for the names of the properties for which applications have been approved.  For details on the ASPM, please contact the PMSA at 3696 1156 or 3696 1166, or visit the website of the PMSA. read more

East Asia

CHP investigates three additional confirmed cases of COVID-19

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (May 30), the CHP was investigating three additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1 083 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 082 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported cases announced today involves three males aged between one and 38. All of them had a travel history during the incubation period. 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.
 
     The CHP again urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives to minimise the risk of infection. In particular, they should go out less and avoid social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings to reduce the chance of contacting infected persons who may not present any symptoms, and minimise the risk of outbreak clusters emerging in the community.
   
     A spokesman for the CHP 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 the 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 get information on COVID-19 as well as the “StayHomeSafe” mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp. 
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, 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. read more

East Asia