The Government announced today (January 28) that the eligibility criteria of ownership period and licensed period of an old private car (Old PC) under the "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme (the Scheme) for electric private cars (e-PCs) are relaxed with effect from today until the end of the Scheme (i.e. March 31, 2021). Relevant criteria are revised as follows:

(a) Ownership period: The PC owner must have been the registered owner of the Old PC for "18 months or more", instead of "three years or more", without interruption, immediately prior to its de-registration; and

(b) Licensed period: The Old PC, with or without interruption, must have been licensed for "at least 10 months (i.e. 304 days or more) within the 12 months immediately before its de-registration", instead of "at least 20 months (i.e. 608 days or more) within the 24 months immediately before its de-registration".

     A Government spokesman said, "Since the launch of the Scheme, the Government has received views for review and relaxation of the eligibility criteria of Old PC, so that more PC owners could fulfil the eligibility criteria for the Scheme. The Government examined these views and decided to relax the above eligibility criteria."

     The spokesman added, "Except for the above criteria on ownership period and licensed period, all other eligibility criteria and application procedures will remain unchanged". The revised eligibility criteria for the Scheme are listed in the Annex.

     The spokesman also reminded PC owners to check the details of the Scheme before scrapping their Old PC. Details of the revised Scheme have been uploaded to the Transport Department (TD)’s website (www.td.gov.hk). 

     For enquiries, please contact the TD's Hong Kong Licensing Office at 2804 2270.

     Correctional officers of Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre stopped a person in custody attacking officers today (January 27).

     At 12.44pm, the 22-year-old male person in custody suddenly turned emotional and attacked a correctional officer with his hand inside the cell. Officers at scene immediately stopped him. OC foam was used to subdue the person in custody after warnings were given in vain.

     One of the officers sustained injury to his knee during the incident. After examination and treatment provided by the institution Medical Officer, he did not need to be sent out to public hospital. Whereas the assailant did not sustain injury. After examination by the institution medical officer, the assailant was referred to a public hospital for further examination as he was suspected to have delirium. 

     The Correctional Services Department has referred the incident to the Police for investigation.

The assailant was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of remaining in Hong Kong without authority.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 27) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a male ward of the Department of Medicine, the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital made the following update today (January 27):
 
     One more patient aged 88 and a staff member in the ward presented with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. Clinical test was arranged for the patient and the test result was positive for Influenza A. The patient is being treated under isolation and is in critical condition. The staff member is currently on leave.
 
     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 4 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with an estimated market value of about $4.8 million at Hong Kong International Airport on January 25.

     Two female passengers arrived in Hong Kong from Madrid, Spain in the morning on January 25. During Customs clearance, five liquor bottles containing suspected liquid cocaine and a paper box soaked with suspected liquid cocaine were found inside the check-in baggages carried by them. They were then arrested.

     The two arrested women, aged 26 and 47, have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 28).

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).