The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
 
        Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) visited the home quarantine monitoring centre of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) at Hong Kong City Hall this afternoon (April 15) to learn about the Government's use of innovation and technology to assist in the implementation of compulsory quarantine measures and to show support to staff who take part in anti-epidemic work.
 
        The ExCo Non-official Members were first briefed by the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Victor Lam, on the different technology solutions currently adopted for monitoring persons undergoing quarantine. These include electronic wristbands, mobile app, real-time location sharing function of communication software, video calls, geo-fencing technologies and big data analysis. Members noted that the OGCIO has set up four home quarantine monitoring centres and that OGCIO staff and volunteers from the civil service have been assisting in implementing the compulsory quarantine measures at these centres and three border control points.
 
        Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Ms Annie Choi, the ExCo Non-official Members then visited the home quarantine monitoring centre at Hong Kong City Hall. Members spoke with staff of the centre, comprised of both incumbent and retired civil servants from different government departments, to gain a deeper understanding on how communication software with location sharing function was utilised by staff of the centre to ensure that those under quarantine were staying at their dwelling places. The staff also explained the arrangements of the quarantine to and shared health information with those who were under quarantine.
 
        The ExCo Non-official Members expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the civil servants and volunteers for participating in the anti-epidemic work which enabled the centre to provide unceasing support over the past two months to the city's home quarantine measures. The ExCo Non-official Members said that the fight against the epidemic was at a critical stage and called on members of the community to keep up their concerted efforts by refraining from going out and maintaining personal hygiene.
 
        ExCo Non-official Members joining the visit today included the Convenor Mr Bernard Chan, Professor Arthur Li, Mr Chow Chung-kong, Mr Jeffrey Lam, Mr Ip Kwok-him, Mr Joseph Yam, Dr Lam Ching-choi, Mr Kenneth Lau and Mr Horace Cheung.
 

            

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (April 15), the CHP was investigating four additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, taking the number of cases to 1 017 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 016 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported cases announced today involve three males and one female aged between 22 and 60. Among them, all had a travel history during the incubation period and one is an overseas student. 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 urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives. 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, "In view of the proliferation of the disease and 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."
 
      The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization, the National Health Commission, the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, relevant health authorities and the Hospital Authority.
 
      The CHP has set up hotlines (2125 1111 and 2125 1122), which operate from 8am to midnight daily, for public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 92 210 calls were received.
 
      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.
 
      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 door knobs, 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 following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     In relation to media enquiries arising from a report by Reuters dated April 14, 2020, the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, issued the following statement today (April 15):

     Since taking office in 2010, the Chief Justice has not at any stage encountered or experienced any form of interference by the Mainland authorities with judicial independence in Hong Kong, including the appointment of judges. Judicial independence is guaranteed under the Basic Law and is a main component of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (April 15), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 30 patients (12 male and 18 female, aged six months to 87 years) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of COVID-19. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.
 
     There are 571 patients under isolation currently. So far, 459 patients who had COVID-19 confirmed or probable infections have been discharged upon recovery.
 
     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.

     The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (April 15) that it registered two lease modifications in the Land Registry during the quarter ending March 2020. They were modifications of a technical nature involving nil premium.
     
     These two land transactions are located on Hong Kong Island. The transactions exclude Small House cases.
     
     A further three lots were granted by private treaty during the period. One was granted to the Hong Kong Housing Society for public rental housing estate development in Aberdeen, one was granted to the Hong Kong Housing Authority for public housing development in Ma On Shan and the other one was granted for the development of an animal welfare centre in Tsing Yi.
     
     The above land transactions realised a total land premium of $3,000.
     
     Transaction records of the lease modifications, land exchanges and private treaty grants, including those registered recently, are uploaded to the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk) on a monthly basis. Details of the transactions may be obtained by searching the registered documents in the Land Registry.