Tag Archives: China

     â€‹The Home Affairs Department (HAD) announced today (April 14) that the Government will extend the scope of the “Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Property Management Sector” (ASPM) under the “Anti-epidemic Fund” to cover industrial and commercial buildings. HAD will announce relevant details of the extended scheme shortly.
      
     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, visited this afternoon the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA), which has been implementing the ASPM, to show support to the team responsible for handling the applications for the ASPM. “We have been paying close attention to the development of the epidemic situation and the needs of the property management (PM) sector, as well as meeting and exchanging views with the PM sector, with a view to enhancing the ASPM. We hope the extension of eligibility of properties to industrial and commercial buildings can assist PM companies (PMCs)/owners’ organisations (OOs) and frontline PM workers therein in fighting the virus together. I would like to particularly thank the PMSA, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr Tony Tse, for collaborating with us and implementing the ASPM smoothly, so that the PM sector can benefit early,” said Mr Lau.
      
     With the extension of the coverage of the subsidy, to allow PMCs and OOs more time in preparing for the application while reducing social contact, the application deadline for the ASPM will be extended to May 31. 
      
     The PMSA has stepped up its manpower to process the applications received, such that PMCs, OOs and frontline PM workers can benefit earlier. As of April 14, the PMSA has received over 6 800 applications, of which over 1 100 applications have been approved, involving subsidies of close to $40 million and benefiting over 11 600 building blocks, which account for more than 30 per cent of the private residential and composite buildings in Hong Kong.
      
     For details on the ASPM, please contact the PMSA at 3696 1156 or 3696 1166, or visit the website of the PMSA (www.pmsahk.org.hk/en/index.html).

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (April 14), the CHP was investigating three additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, taking the number of cases to 1 013 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 012 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported cases announced today involve three males aged between 16 and 53. Among them, all had a travel history during the incubation period and two are overseas students. 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 91 359 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. read more

     Police conducted an operation between April 10 and 13 in different districts in the territory to enhance enforcement actions against illegal use of electric mobility devices.      During the ope… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      As at noon today (April 14), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 27 patients (17 male and 10 female, aged 16 to 83) in the p… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announces today (April 14) that a tender of 3-year Government Bonds (Bonds) through the re-opening of existing 10-year Government Bond issue 10GB2301 under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme will be held on April 22 (Wednesday), for settlement on April 23 (Thursday).

     An additional amount of HK$4.0 billion of the outstanding 10-year Bonds (issue no. 10GB2301) will be on offer.  The Bonds will mature on January 17, 2023 and will carry interest at the rate of 1.10 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrears.  The Bonds Fixings today is 101.52 with an annualised yield of 0.546 per cent.
 
    Under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme, tender is open only to Recognized Dealers which are appointed as Primary Dealers.  Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the current published list, which can be obtained from the Government Bond Programme’s website at www.hkgb.gov.hk.  Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.
 
     Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Government Bond Programme’s website, the Reuters screen (HKGBINDEX), and Bloomberg (GBHK <GO>) not later than 3:00 pm on the tender day.

HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme Tender Information
—————————————————————————————————–
Tender information of re-opening of 10-year Government Bonds under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:
 

Issue Number	:	10GB2301 (Re-open)
Stock code	:	4215 (HKGB 1.10 2301)
Tender Date and Time	:	April 22, 2020 (Wednesday) 9.30 am to 10.30 am
Issue and Settlement Date for tender amount	:	April 23, 2020 (Thursday)
Amount on Offer	:	HK$4.0 billion
Maturity	:	3 years
Remaining Maturity	:	Approximately 2.74 years
Maturity Date	:	January 17, 2023
Interest Rate	:	1.10 per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrears
Interest Payment Dates	:	July 17, 2020 January 18, 2021 July 19, 2021 January 17, 2022 July 18, 2022 January 17, 2023
Method of Tender	:	Competitive tender
Tender Amount	:	Each competitive tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.  Any tender applications for the Bonds must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the current published list.   The accrued interest to be paid by successful bidders on the issue date (April 23, 2020) for the tender amount is HK$146.16 per minimum denomination of HK$50,000.   (The accrued interest to be paid for tender amount exceeding HK$50,000 may not be exactly equal to the figures calculated from the accrued interest per minimum denomination of HK$50,000 due to rounding).
Other details	:	Please see Information Memorandum available on the Government Bond Programme’s website at www.hkgb.gov.hk or approach Primary Dealers.
Expected commencement date of dealing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited	:	The tender amount is fully fungible with the existing 10GB2301 (Stock code: 4215) listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

 
Price/Yield Table of the re-opening Government Bonds at tender for reference* only:

Yield-to-Maturity	Price	Yield-to-Maturity	Price
-0.454	104.28	0.546	101.50
-0.404	104.14	0.596	101.37
-0.354	104.00	0.646	101.23
-0.304	103.86	0.696	101.10
-0.254	103.72	0.746	100.96
-0.204	103.58	0.796	100.82
-0.154	103.44	0.846	100.69
-0.104	103.30	0.896	100.55
-0.054	103.16	0.946	100.42
-0.004	103.02	0.996	100.29
0.046	102.88	1.046	100.15
0.096	102.74	1.096	100.02
0.146	102.60	1.146	99.88
0.196	102.46	1.196	99.75
0.246	102.33	1.246	99.62
0.296	102.19	1.296	99.49
0.346	102.05	1.346	99.35
0.396	101.91	1.396	99.22
0.446	101.78	1.446	99.09
0.496	101.64	1.496	98.96
0.546	101.50	1.546	98.83

 
* Disclaimer
 
The information provided here is for reference only.  Although extreme care has been taken to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, the HKMA does not warrant that all, or any part of, the information provided is accurate in all respects.  You are encouraged to conduct your own enquiries to verify any particular piece of information provided on it.  The HKMA shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any use or reliance on any of the information provided here. read more