Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, today (March 28) said that since an outbreak of measles infection emerged at the Hong Kong International Airport last week, the Department of Health (DH) has attached great importance to the infection control measures at the airport, in particular the measles vaccination for people working at the airport who are non-immune to measles. Taking account into the supply of measles vaccines, the DH will conduct a pilot measles serology test for people working at the airport to identify the people most in need of the vaccination.
 
     Dr Chan said, “The overall coverage rate of measles vaccination in Hong Kong has maintained at a high level and the local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most of the people in Hong Kong are immune to measles.”
 
     “In view of the relatively tight supply of measles vaccines currently, the DH considers that sufficient vaccines should be reserved for people who are most in need. In this regard, the DH will set up a blood test station at the airport starting tomorrow (March 29) and conduct a pilot serology test for people working at the airport on a voluntary basis in order to learn about their antibodies against measles.”
 
     A total of 100 samples from airport staff will be obtained in the pilot test and participants will be individually informed of the serology result by phone. Those who are tested positive against measles antibody (IgG) are regarded as immune to measles and there will be no need for further vaccination. The blood test station for the pilot serology test is located at the south side before Immigration Hall at Level 3 of Terminal 2 (non-restricted area). The station will be opened from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
 
     Dr Chan said, “Through the pilot test, the DH hopes to better grasp the overall immunity against measles among people working at the airport so that the measles control and prevention strategy can be fine-tuned to improve the current arrangement and assign the vaccines more effectively to those who are non-immune timely.”
 
     “After taking reference of the result of the pilot serology test, we will examine if it is necessary to arrange some people to take a blood test at the vaccination station to confirm if they are non-immune to measles and arrange vaccination to them afterwards if necessary.”
 
​     The measles vaccination exercise at the airport aims to protect those working at the airport who are non-immune to measles. The target group refers to people working at the airport who are:
 
(1) Non locally-born or born in Hong Kong from 1967 to 1984; and
(2) Have not received two doses of measles vaccination; and
(3) Have not been infected with measles before; and in particular
(4) Those who need to take care of infants under one-year-old or pregnant women
 
     Dr Chan said that there is no urgent need for those who do not belong to the target group to receive measles vaccination as the majority of them should have immunity against measles, so that resources can be reserved for those in most need.
 
     The vaccination stations at the airport will remain open until April 4, including Saturday and Sunday. Due to restriction in the cold chain logistics arrangement for vaccine delivery, the service hours for Saturday and Sunday will be adjusted. Details of the arrangement are as follows:
 

Venue:	Port Health Office Health Post (South Arrival Apron Passenger Vehicle Lounge, Level 4, Terminal 1)
	Multi-function Room, HKIA Tower (Level 5, Terminal 2)
Hours:	March 30 and 31 9am to 1pm 2pm to 5pm
	April 1 to 4 10am to 1pm 2pm to 5pm 6pm to 9pm

 
     A total of 839 persons received measles vaccination at the vaccination station as at 5pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 4 212. A hotline (2125 1122) is set up for public enquiries and operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily. As of 5pm today, the hotline had received a total of 1 836 enquiries.
 
     The DH has maintained close liaison with the Airport Authority to conduct relevant health measures during the measles outbreak and disseminate health advice to people working at the airport and travellers.
 
     The DH recommends people working at the airport to measure their body temperature before going to work. If they develop fever or respiratory infection symptoms, they should seek medical advice promptly and not go to work. Those who are non-immune to measles can consider wearing surgical masks when staying indoor. People working at the airport and travellers should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. There should be good ventilation within the airport area.
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP is investigating an additional case of measles infection, which involves a male visitor from the Philippines who came to Hong Kong on March 23. The 17-year-old man with good past health developed fever and cough on March 24 and rash on March 25. He attended the Out-patient Department of St Teresa’s Hospital on March 26 and was referred to Kwong Wah Hospital for admission and treatment on the same day. His respiratory specimen tested positive for measles virus. He is in a stable condition.
  
     Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Initial investigations revealed that no contact has shown measles-related symptoms so far. The public places the patient visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.
 
     Information on the confirmed measles cases in 2019 with their case summary is uploaded onto the CHP website.
 
     The spokesman explained, “Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets spread or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash.”
 
     The spokesman added, “The incubation period of measles ranges from seven days to up to 21 days. Contacts who are not immune to measles may develop relevant symptoms, such as fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes, in the incubation period. They should observe if they develop such symptoms in the period. If symptoms arise, they should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below one. They should also report their symptoms and prior travel history to healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at healthcare facilities to prevent any potential spread.
 
     “Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received measles vaccination during childhood. The history of measles vaccination in Hong Kong is available in the CHP’s measles thematic page. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, who do not know their vaccination history or who have unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination at least two weeks before departure,” the spokesman said.
 
     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 
• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
• Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
• Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of rash to prevent spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.
 
     For more information on measles, please visit the CHP’s measles thematic page. For news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong or the latest travel health advice, please visit the website of DH’s Travel Health Service. read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 28) attended the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2019 in Hainan and met with central ministry, province and city leaders.

     Mrs Lam, together with the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, in the morning attended the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2019, which has “Shared Future, Concerted Action, Common Development” as its theme. Mrs Lam listened to the keynote speech delivered at the opening ceremony by the Premier of the State Council, Mr Li Keqiang. The Premier said that the country would broaden market access for investment from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan; open sectors such as finance, professional services and high-end manufacturing wider; and continue to roll out policy initiatives to facilitate the movement of Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland people as well as the flow of factors of production. Mrs Lam said these measures will be welcomed by Hong Kong enterprises and various professional sectors and show once again the Central Government’s support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). She also said she believed that these measures will further enhance Hong Kong’s integration into the overall development of the country.
 
     After the opening ceremony, Mrs Lam met with the Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, Mr Xiao Yaqing. Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the SASAC for its staunch support for Hong Kong to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, which includes the co-organisation with HKSAR Government of various activities regularly to foster establishment of partnership between different trades, the state-owned enterprises (SoEs) and the professional services sector of Hong Kong; its encouragement of participation by SoEs in the capacity building initiatives of the HKSAR Government for countries along the Belt and Road; and its proactive participation in the annual Belt and Road Summit organised by the HKSAR Government. She expressed the hope to maintain close co-operation with the SASAC to make contributions in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.
 
     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam met with the Governor of Hebei Province, Mr Xu Qin. Mrs Lam said she visited Hebei last October and was deeply impressed by the Xiongan New Area, which is designed to be developed as an international city with high-tech industries. She said she hopes that Hong Kong may participate in the Xiongan New Area’s development and contribute to it. She welcomed the news that Mr Xu will lead a delegation to visit Hong Kong next month, and said she believes the visit would help explore more areas for co-operation between the two places.
 
     Mrs Lam also met with the Deputy Party Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, Mr Ren Xuefeng. Mrs Lam said ties between Hong Kong and Chongqing have always been close and that the Chongqing Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government was established in 2012. Hong Kong is also the largest source of external investment in Chongqing as well as the best platform for Chongqing’s enterprises to “go global”. Pointing out that Chongqing is a vital strategic place in the Western Development Programme and a main connecting point of the Belt and Road and the Yangtze River economic zone, she said Hong Kong, an international maritime centre and a regional logistics hub, is able to provide professional support services to link up the maritime and logistics networks of the two places to seize together the opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative. She said she hopes to visit Chongqing in the future to know more about the latest developments there.
 
     After the meeting, Mrs Lam joined the Women Roundtable themed “The Power of Women and the Value of Balance” to discuss with outstanding women leaders from around the world women’s potential and the promotion of women’s development. Mrs Lam said to the participants that she, as the first female Chief Executive of the HKSAR, has a huge and important responsibility in advancing women’s development. She briefed the participants on the Government’s measures to foster women’s development, including efforts to unleash the female labour force, allowing them to give full play to their potential.
 
     In the evening, Mrs Lam joined “The Night of Hainan”, a thematic dinner hosted by the Boao Forum for Asia. After arriving in Boao yesterday afternoon, Mrs Lam also attended a dinner hosted by the Premier for major guests of the Forum, and met with the Hong Kong student volunteers at the annual conference.
 
     Mrs Lam will continue to attend events of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2019 tomorrow (March 29).

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     A residential unit agent, who did not comply with the requirements of an asbestos abatement notice (AAN) to hire a registered asbestos contractor to carry out asbestos demolition works, and a renovation contractor involved in the same case, who failed to notify the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) prior to the commencement of the demolition works, were convicted for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (March 28). The two persons were fined a total of $5,000.

     An EPD spokesman said a complaint was received from a member of the public in August 2018 that the demolition of an asbestos roof of a unit in Shui Ning House, 50 Shui Ning Street, Kwun Tong, was suspected of being carried out without segregation, expressing concern that the release of asbestos fibres may affect the health of residents nearby. EPD staff confirmed that asbestos demolition works were being conducted without giving not less than 28 days’ written notice to the EPD prior to the commencement of the works in accordance with section 73 (1) of the APCO. In addition to ordering to suspend the works with immediate effect and segregate the place, the EPD also issued an AAN to the residential unit agent, ordering the agent to hire a registered asbestos contractor and complete demolishing and handling the asbestos materials by a deadline. EPD staff found that the residential unit agent still did not comply with the requirements of the AAN in a follow-up inspection. The EPD instigated prosecutions against the residential unit agent and the renovation contractor under the APCO after gathering evidence.

     The EPD spokesman reminded residential unit owners and agents that refurbishment and renovation at buildings containing asbestos must be carried out by registered asbestos contractors in accordance with the statutory requirements and the code of practice on asbestos control. Contractors to carry out works involving asbestos must give not less than 28 days’ written notice to the EPD prior to the commencement of such works. Otherwise, they are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000. The EPD spokesman reiterated that members of the public must comply with the requirements of an AAN issued by the EPD and hire registered professionals to complete the demolishing and handling of asbestos-containing materials. Otherwise, they may commit an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

     Members of the public can help combat illegal asbestos works and safeguard the health of the public by calling the EPD departmental hotline at 2838 3111 to make a report if they witness any illegal asbestos demolition works. read more

     A Hong Kong resident was jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (March 28) for contracting bogus marriage and illegal transfer of his passport.

     During an investigation conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) on a case of illegal transfer of a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, a man aged 43 admitted under caution that he sold his passport and that he had arranged to contract a bogus marriage with a Mainland resident through a middleman for monetary remuneration in December 2007. Immigration officers then contacted the Mainland woman concerned, aged 44, for further investigation.

     The Mainland woman was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud on March 19. After trial, she was convicted and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. The man was charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today with one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of transferring a travel document to another without reasonable excuse. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment on each charge. All charges are to run concurrently.

     “Under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to transfer any travel document to another person without reasonable excuse. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty will be a fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years,” the ImmD spokesman said.

     “The Immigration Department will continue to spare no effort in combating bogus marriages and other related illicit activities. For people who have obtained their residence in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residence status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin,” the spokesman said.

     The spokesman urged the public not to defy the law by participating in activities related to bogus marriage and not to make a false oath before immigration officers for the purpose of procuring a marriage in Hong Kong. Those directing others to contract a bogus marriage may also be guilty of the offence of conspiracy to defraud. Anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) Administrative Operational Meeting today (March 28) endorsed the establishment of a special task group to review and streamline the HA’s administrative efficiency. The HA Chairman, Professor John Leong, said that the special task group aims at reviewing the decision-making process of the HA Board and the involvement of clinicians in management processes at the Head Office and cluster levels.
 
     The special task group will focus on simplifying the resource bidding process, streamlining meetings of co-ordinating committees and central committees and other management meetings at cluster or hospital levels, and the scope for delegation or streamlining in the decision-making processes of the HA Board and its committees.
 
     “The HA, as a public organisation, has to ensure effective corporate governance and prudent utilisation of public funds. Meetings are arranged to deliberate strategic and policy discussions and inter-departmental co-ordination. In view of recent concerns expressed by various stakeholders, we hope the review can consolidate some feasible recommendations to streamline the meeting involvements where practicable,” Professor Leong said.
 
     A total of eight HA Board Members have agreed to join the special task group (the full membership list is attached) to be chaired by Professor Leong. The special task group will report progress to the HA Board’s Executive Committee.
 
     HA executives will be in attendance, and staff input will be invited as and when appropriate. The target is to complete the review and submit recommendations to the Board in six to nine months.
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