Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Joint Opening Ceremony of HKTDC Food Expo, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo today (August 11):
 
Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam), Margaret (Executive Director of the HKTDC, Ms Margaret Fong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning.
 
     I am delighted to be here today for the joint opening ceremony of four fabulous fairs hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council: the Food Expo, the International Tea Fair, the Home Delights Expo and the Beauty & Wellness Expo. 
 
     Put them together, and you've got a smart and sumptuous ticket to good life – for the public, and for buyers and sellers alike.
 
     The concurrent fairs have attracted nearly 1,000 exhibitors – from Hong Kong, the Mainland and around the world – to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. And HKTDC's new Exhibition+ makes connecting and doing business online easy as well – during the fairs and after.
 
     Food Expo, let me add, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in enticing style, bringing a broad range of specialty foods and drinks from around the world to Hong Kong. 
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, the opening of these four high-profile international fairs – and in such a challenging time – speaks of our commitment to the exhibition industry.
 
     The Government believes in the industry, in the critical value that trade plays in our economy, and in attracting foreign investment. That is why I think everyone is so glad to see the return of large-scale exhibitions after the peak of COVID-19 in the first quarter this year. And we are exploring long-term strategies to attract more event organisers, more convention and exhibition events, to Hong Kong down the road.
 
     We're not alone, I'm pleased to say. The 14th Five-Year Plan of the Central Government fully supports our continuing development as an international trade centre. We will do everything in our power to realise this objective.
 
     What is more, Phase II of the Consumption Voucher Scheme has just begun. Hong Kong consumers are invited to bring their consumption vouchers to the fairs, enjoying every minute, every dollar, spent as they do. I'm told that some over 90 per cent of the exhibitors are happy to accept the vouchers. 
 
     Finally, I would like to thank the HKTDC for putting together a trade-show spectacular designed to boost business, spur consumption and light up our summer-in-the-city smiles.
 
     I wish you the best of health and business. Thank you.

    

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 11) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Starting from August 15, the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at MTR Tsing Yi Station and the Children Community Vaccination Centre (CCVC) at Hong Kong Children's Hospital will concurrently provide vaccination service with the Sinovac and BioNTech vaccines. Members of the public can make online reservations via the designated website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme from 9am tomorrow (August 12).
 
     In addition, starting from August 15, the Maternal and Child Health Centres under the Department of Health (DH) will provide the Sinovac vaccination service to children aged 6 months to 3 years when they receive regular services with bookings.
 
     The vaccination centres at MTR Tsing Yi Station and Hong Kong Children's Hospital used to provide the BioNTech vaccine only and members of the public can select to receive the Sinovac or BioNTech vaccines at these two venues soon. Hong Kong Children's Hospital will administer the Sinovac vaccine for children aged 6 months to 17 years while children aged 5 to 11 can continue to receive the BioNTech vaccine there. Partitions and signage will be placed on-site as appropriate for identification of the vaccination zones for the two types of vaccine. 
 
     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said today (August 11), "We hope to make flexible and optimal use of existing facilities by practical and safe arrangements to provide more vaccination channels for the convenience and choice of the public. The Government has also introduced targeted measures for children and the elderly to enable parents to let their children receive COVID-19 vaccination while obtaining services at Maternal and Child Health Centres. Currently, Elderly Health Centres also offer vaccination service to their users, so as to facilitate and encourage the early vaccination of the young and the old for self-protection.
 
     "In face of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Government strives to safeguard the health of the public and to reduce the impact on the normal activities of the community at the same time. As members of the community, people should make an effort to strengthen the protective shield in the community by receiving a suitable number of vaccine doses on time and arranging for elderly people and young children in their families to get vaccinated. At present, the vaccination venues have abundant vaccination capacity to cope with the demand of the public."

Channels for free vaccination
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• Community Vaccination Centres
• Children Community Vaccination Centres
• Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Stations
• Designated general outpatient clinics of the Hospital Authority
• Elderly Health Centres of the DH
• Designated Student Health Service Centres of the DH
• Maternal and Child Health Centres of the DH
• Private doctors and clinics providing the Sinovac vaccination service
• Private healthcare institutions providing the BioNTech vaccination service
• Home Vaccination Service

     The designated website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/programme) provides the latest information including details on vaccination venues, reservation and enquiry hotlines.
 
     For the information of Maternal and Child Health Centres of the DH, please refer to the website at www.fhs.gov.hk/english/centre_det/maternal/maternal.html.
 
Vaccination centres providing the Sinovac vaccine for persons aged 6 months old or above
—————————————————————————————————–
Java Road Sports Centre in North Point
Kwun Chung Sports Centre in Jordan
Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre in Sha Tin
Millennium City 5 in Kwun Tong
Hong Kong Spinners Industrial Building in Cheung Sha Wan
MTR Tsing Yi Station (starting from August 15)
CCVC at Hong Kong Children's Hospital in Kowloon Bay (only for persons aged 6 months to 17 years starting from August 15; no same-day tickets)
 
Vaccination centres providing the BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 (no same-day tickets)
————————————————————————————————————–
CCVC at Hong Kong Children's Hospital in Kowloon Bay
HKU CCVC at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong in Wong Chuk Hang (on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
CUHK Medical Centre in Sha Tin
Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre in Kwai Chung
 
Vaccination centres providing the BioNTech vaccine for persons aged 12 or above
——————————————————————————————
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre in Sai Ying Pun
Satellite Community Vaccination Centre, Leighton Centre in Causeway Bay (no same-day tickets)
Sai Wan Ho Sports Centre
Boundary Street Sports Centre in Mong Kok
Hiu Kwong Street Sports Centre in Kwun Tong
Lai Chi Kok Park Sports Centre
Yuen Long Sports Centre
Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre in Kwai Chung
MTR Tsing Yi Station
CUHK Medical Centre in Sha Tin (no same-day tickets)
HKU Community Vaccination Centre at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong (on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; no same-day tickets)
Pop-up CVC at 17th floor of Landmark North in Sheung Shui
 
Things to note for vaccination of children
———————————————
     Parents are required to present the original copy of their children's birth certificate or juvenile identity card and bring along the consent form signed by the parents on the date of vaccination of the children. Children aged 6 months to 11 years must be accompanied by their parents/guardians in person when receiving vaccination.
 
     Consent form for persons aged below 18 receiving the Sinovac vaccine and persons aged 12 to 17 receiving the BioNTech vaccine:
www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/Consent_Form_for_COVID19_Vaccination_ENG.pdf.
 
     Consent form for children aged 5 to 11 receiving the BioNTech vaccine:
www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/Consent_Form_for_Fractional_BioNTech_Vaccination_ENG.pdf.
 
     The minimum age for receiving the Sinovac vaccine is 6 months old while the minimum age for receiving the BioNTech vaccine is 5 years old.

     The Inland Revenue Department together with the Mong Kok Police District and the Department of Health conducted an enforcement operation today (August 11) at a building in Tai Kok Tsui, which was included in a compulsory testing notice earlier. The operation started at around 7.15am and ended at around 10am today.

     Starting from around 7.15am today, persons subject to compulsory testing of Block 7, Metro Harbour View, Tai Kok Tsui, were requested to provide the SMS notification received through a mobile phone or related certification containing the results of COVID-19 tests, to show that they had taken such tests as required pursuant to the compulsory testing notice of the building within the specified period issued by the Government earlier on. The Government arranged for staff to verify the testing certifications of the persons subject to compulsory testing at the entrances/exits of the building, to verify whether persons subject to compulsory testing had undergone testing in compliance with the requirement.

     During the operation, test records of 354 persons were checked. Among them, 46 persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. The Government has issued compulsory testing orders to them, requiring them to undergo testing within a specified period. Fixed penalty notices of $10,000 each were also issued to six of them.

     The Government wishes to thank the many residents who had complied with the compulsory testing notice for their co-operation to fight against the virus together. The Government will continue to enforce the law strictly. All persons subject to compulsory testing should comply with the compulsory testing notice. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $10,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The Government is grateful for the support and co-operation of the residents and relevant organisations. The Government understands that the enforcement process may cause some inconvenience to the residents, but hopes that the residents can understand.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (August 11) that Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre will reopen for holiday campers from August 25 (Thursday). Members of the public can use the Leisure Link service (including counter bookings, Internet booking services and self-service kiosks) to reserve camp places from tomorrow (August 12). For details, please refer to the related notice (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/camp/p_skorc.php). The Centre was temporarily closed earlier for anti-epidemic purposes.

     Major indoor facilities of the Centre to be reopened include badminton courts, a table tennis room, a sport climbing wall, a gateball court, a VR simulation room, a karaoke room, a children's play room, a dance room, snooker and American pool tables, squash courts and an arts and crafts room. Major outdoor facilities to be reopened include a swimming pool, an archery range, a basketball court, a rope course, a roller skating rink, a children's cycling area, a children's play area and an elderly fitness corner. The barbecue area, the mini-soccer pitch and tennis courts in the Centre will be temporarily closed.

     The public should pay attention to the following measures while using the reopened facilities:
 

• In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, the LCSD will ensure necessary measures to be adopted at the Centre. Users are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code before being allowed to enter the above facilities for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found;
• Body temperature screening will be undertaken for all people before entering the above facilities. Those with symptoms such as fever or respiratory illness will not be allowed to enter the above facilities;
• In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering or remaining at the above facilities must comply with the requirement of the Vaccine Pass. Starting from August 9, the Government has added the Red Code and the Amber Code into the Vaccine Pass to differentiate persons with higher risk of infection. Venue staff will deny entry of relevant persons to the Centre in accordance with relevant rules; 
• Pursuant to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I), members of the public must wear masks at all times within the above facilities except when consuming a drink where reasonably necessary, exercising, consuming food/drinks at a table in catering premises, having a shower or being in a guest room;
• Members of the public must comply with provisions of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). The number of people in group gatherings should not be more than that stipulated by the law. The quota of camp places will be adjusted and only bedrooms accommodating eight people will be provided in residential camps;
• For the adjustments on the number of users, the maximum capacity and other details relating to the affiliated recreational facilities, please refer to the notifications of individual venues; and
• Campers must comply with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) announced by the Government and the regulations of individual venues.

     The LCSD will pay close attention to the latest developments of the epidemic and review or revise the above reopening arrangements in due course.