The Government yesterday (July 14) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" effective from 5pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Tuen Mun (i.e. Wu Tsui House, Wu King Estate, Tuen Mun) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the "restricted area" have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained.
         
     In addition, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday to any person who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from July 8 to July 14, 2022, even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect, must undergo compulsory testing on or before July 16, 2022. As a mutant strain is involved, for prudence's sake, vaccinated persons and persons who have recently been tested are also required to undergo testing.
 
     The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 7am today (July 15) and is now carrying out enforcement actions in the "restricted area" to verify that all people in the "restricted area" have undergone compulsory testing. The Government will further announce the revocation time of the declaration.
 
     Starting from around 7am today, persons in the specified "restricted area" in Tuen Mun who have undergone testing and are able to present SMS notifications with negative test results as proof of having undergone testing may leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer.
 
     The Government set up temporary specimen collection stations in the "restricted area" yesterday and requested persons subject to compulsory testing to collect combined nasal and throat swab samples at the stations to undergo a COVID-19 virus test before 11pm yesterday. A total of about 1 770 persons had undergone testing. Amongst them, 14 tested positive cases were found. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will take follow-up action. Regarding cases tested positive in the specified "restricted area", the Government will provide health advice for persons tested positive pending admission to hospitals or isolation facilities, disinfection products and surgical masks to these persons and their household members pending follow-up arrangement.
 
     Moreover, the Government also assigned staff to visit about 720 households within the "restricted area", among which 28 households did not answer the door. The Government will take measures to follow up.
 
     The Government reiterates that enforcement actions will be taken seriously. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a test result as proof of having undergone testing breaches the compulsory testing notice and may be liable to a fine of $10,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the "restriction-testing declaration" is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The Government exercises the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publishes in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at 70 specified places during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.

     In view of a number of cases testing positive, 67 specified places are included in the compulsory testing notice. Furthermore, since some sewage samples collected in Yuen Long and Tai Wai have tested positive, three specified premises are included in the compulsory testing notice. The Government strongly reminds members of the public to strictly follow the compulsory testing requirements and undergo testing on time as required. Mobile specimen collection stations have been set up by the Government in different districts to facilitate testing to be conducted in compliance with the compulsory testing notice. The above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.

     Persons who have tested positive in the past three months (including positive cases tested either by nucleic acid tests recorded by the Department of Health (DH) or by rapid antigen tests (RATs) that have been self-declared to the DH) do not need to undergo compulsory testing. For those who are subject to compulsory testing (save for those who have declared their positive RAT results as mentioned above), they must undergo nucleic acid tests in accordance with relevant compulsory testing notices and cannot use RATs to fulfil the requirement of such notices. In other words, a negative RAT result cannot be deemed as fulfilling the compulsory testing requirement. Furthermore, unless a person subject to compulsory testing has obtained a medical certificate proving that he or she is unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons, the person cannot provide a deep throat saliva sample to fulfil the compulsory testing requirement.

     Details of the compulsory testing notice will be available on the Centre for Health Protection (CHP)'s website via the following link: www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ctn_20220714.pdf.

     If any persons test positive under compulsory testing, such positive cases will be handled in the same manner as in those identified through other nucleic acid tests or self-declared through RATs. Their isolation arrangements (as well as the quarantine arrangements of their household members) are no different from other positive cases.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing in accordance with a compulsory testing notice must go to any of the mobile specimen collection stations, community testing centres (CTCs) or recognised local medical testing institutions to undergo professional swab sampling in fulfilling the requirements for compulsory testing. Young children may continue to undergo the test using a stool specimen. For details on obtaining stool specimen bottles, please refer to the COVID-19 thematic website: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/Stool_bottle_collection_points.pdf.

     If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above, the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or the post-super typhoon "extreme conditions" announcement by the Government is in force at any time during the period for undergoing the compulsory testing, the period for undergoing the compulsory testing will be extended for one day.

     The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from COVID-19. They can provide protection to those vaccinated to prevent serious complications and even death after infection. The Government appeals to persons who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated without delay. The Government is working towards the goal of boosting the vaccination rates of children, teenagers and the elderly so that they can be protected by the vaccines as early as possible. Furthermore, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the CHP of the DH has earlier updated the consensus interim recommendations, and persons aged 60 or above who have taken three doses of vaccine are recommended to receive an additional dose (i.e. fourth dose) of either Comirnaty vaccine or CoronaVac vaccine at least three months after their last dose. Members of the public who are eligible should get the fourth dose as early as possible for better protection.

         CTCs provide testing services for the public. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). The system shows the booking status of the centres for the coming two weeks to facilitate the public's planning and selection of a suitable testing centre and a time slot for testing. The testing centres will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. As of 6pm today (July 14), there was around 96 per cent availability for booking places for the coming two weeks. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres.
 
            The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Residence Bel-Air in Pok Fu Lam, On Yam Estate in Kwai Chung, Cheung Hong Estate in Tsing Yi and Hung Fuk Estate in Hung Shui Kiu tomorrow (July 15). Separately, ticketing machines have been installed in a number of service points for on-site ticket arrangement. Members of the public who have obtained a ticket can visit the CTC website (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en) to check the real-time queueing ticket status. Booking service is also provided for some large-scale mobile specimen collection stations, and members of the public may use the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en) to reserve a suitable time slot for testing.
 
     Other than persons subject to compulsory testing, all members of the public may conduct free testing at CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable). The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations are stated in the Annex.
 
     Outdoor mobile specimen collection stations will be closed if the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 or Red Rainstorm Warning Signal has been issued, while all mobile specimen collection stations together with all CTCs will be closed when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above or the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force. Any changes in the arrangements of testing service will be announced on site, and members of the public may also pay attention to the relevant press releases.

     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:

(a) For tests which require using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs
1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
2. To attend any of the CTCs (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en);
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf), and the relevant sample must be taken through combined nasal and throat swabs; or
4. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the stool sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

(b) For persons holding a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner proving that they are unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons
1. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from post offices, vending machines set up at MTR stations or designated general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
2. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority; or
3. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results.

     A Government spokesman cautioned that testing received at the Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     "If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the CTCs."

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notifications containing the result of the test and the relevant medical certificate (if applicable) for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. The fixed penalty for discharging the liability is $10,000. The person may also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Any person in breach of the compulsory testing order would be liable to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The spokesman said, "The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons."

     The Government reminded the public today (July 14) that starting from tomorrow (July 15), outbound travellers planning to cross the boundary via the Shenzhen Bay Control Point are required to present proof of booking confirmation for undergoing the special nucleic acid test. Members of the public can reserve the special nucleic acid testing service at the control point through the online booking system. The booking system has been operating smoothly since its commencement at 0.00am today. Currently, there are still ample testing time slots available for reservation.

     The special nucleic acid testing service and time slots for booking at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point are sufficient to meet the overall number of daily cross-boundary passengers. As at 8pm today, the situation of the testing service booking was as follows:
 

 
     After obtaining a reservation at a Shenzhen quarantine hotel, members of the public could reserve through the online booking system a time slot on the day of making the reservation or in the coming six days for special nucleic acid test. Each testing session is 30 minutes. They are required to input their name, identification document number and reservation number of the Shenzhen quarantine hotel when making the booking.

     On the day of crossing the boundary, travellers should arrive at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point during the time slot as reserved. They can only undergo the special nucleic acid test upon presentation of the SMS or a screen capture of the booking confirmation to the staff on-site. Those who fail to present the booking confirmation of the special nucleic acid test or fail to arrive at the control point during the reserved time slot will not be able to continue with their journey across the boundary should they eventually not be able to undergo the test at the control point.
 
     The Government will keep monitoring the cross-boundary passenger flow closely and expand the testing capacity and waiting area at appropriate juncture with a view to streamlining the clearance procedures.

     An exhibition featuring a selection of compelling masterpieces by Italian Baroque painters from the valuable collection of the Capodimonte Museum, Italy, "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Road to the Baroque – Masterpieces from the Capodimonte Museum", will be open to the public starting from tomorrow (July 15) at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA), enabling visitors to experience the charm and magnificence of Baroque art from the 17th century.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony today (July 14), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said that "The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has been collaborating with world-class museums across the globe to bring top-notch exhibitions to Hong Kong over the years. If you just recall the very well-received exhibition of the Uffizi collection of Italian Renaissance art in Hong Kong last time, I can assure you that this exhibition of Baroque art is equally unique and no less inspiring."

     Other officiating guests included the Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong, Mr Clemente Contestabile; the Executive Director of Charities and Community of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), Mr Leong Cheung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; and the Museum Director of the HKMoA, Dr Maria Mok. The Director of the Capodimonte Museum, Dr Sylvain Bellenger, also delivered a pre-recorded speech during the ceremony.

     Originating in Italy, Baroque is another important period in the Western art history after the Renaissance. Characterised by the dramatic contrast of light and dark, exaggerated movement and pronounced figures' facial expressions, historians coined the term "Baroque" to define the 17th century Italian art which focuses on high tension and realistic representations of emotions. Baroque artists were arguably the originators of immersive experiences. Their paintings are compelling and strikingly real, often immersing the audience in the scene.

     The Capodimonte Museum in Naples, Italy, is one of the largest and most famous museums in Italy, with over 1 million attendants per year. The museum is famous for some of the finest collections of Italian paintings in the world. Collaborating with the HKMoA, this is the Capodimonte Museum's debut exhibition in Hong Kong. The exhibition features 40 late Renaissance works from northern and central Italy, and Neapolitan Baroque masterpieces from the Capodimonte Museum that have never been shown in Hong Kong. These works come from the two major nuclei – the Farnese Collection and the Bourbon Collection of the museum. The showcase includes religion, saints, mythology, still life and landscape paintings of legendary masters, such as Titian, Annibale Carracci and Artemisia Gentileschi, to present the stylistic characteristics and artistic accomplishments of Italian Neapolitan art in the 16th and 17th centuries. This exhibition is also the largest scale Baroque exhibition in Hong Kong in recent years.

     To complement the exhibition, the Associate Vice-President (Interdisciplinary Research) and the Founding Dean of the School of Creative Arts of the Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Johnny Poon, designed Baroque music and soundscapes for selected exhibits. These aural elements add a new dimension to art appreciation and help open the door to Baroque art. The HKMoA has also invited three local artists to provide artistic responses with various creative media to the works of the Baroque masters. Their efforts have enriched the exhibition with a Hong Kong perspective, allowing the audience to enjoy an art experience that connects the past and the present.

     New media artist Kingsley Ng draws inspiration from the Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi's autobiographical painting and juxtaposes Galileo Galilei's laws of the pendulum with dramatic Baroque chiaroscuro to express the impact of modern science on Baroque art. In this immersive space, the audience can feel the tension between light and shadow, and stillness and movement. Visual artist Chow Chun-fai reinterprets Baroque characters with photography installations, introducing elements of local culture to Baroque art for a dazzling fusion of East and West, and the past and present. With great imagination, illustrator missquai works with the HKMoA curatorial team to present some of the tales, significance and techniques of the Baroque period through stories and games. The illustrations provide the audience with a fun-packed journey through art.

     The exhibition is one of the programmes for the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It will run from July 15 to November 2 at the Special Gallery on the second floor of the HKMoA (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). For details of the exhibition and the admission arrangements, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/the-road-to-the-baroque-masterpieces-from-the-capodimonte-museum.html or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.

     The exhibition is under the exclusive sponsorship of the HKJC, and is one of the many initiatives supported by the HKJC's approved donation of $630 million to the HKSAR Government to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, demonstrating that the HKJC is resolute in pursuing its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society, all in support of creating stronger communities together.

     The exhibition is jointly presented by the LCSD and the MiC – Italian Ministry of Culture, and jointly organised by the HKMoA and the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte. In collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong, the exhibition is also supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong and is a programme of "Italy-China Year of Culture and Tourism" and "Italia Mia".

     The LCSD will also present the Baroque Music Lecture Series "Bach & Beyond" from August to October, to be hosted by local music critic William Ting, offering audiences an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the art of Johann Sebastian Bach, dubbed "the father of classical music", from multiple perspectives. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1333.html.

     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, visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the museum for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the relevant requirements of the Vaccine Pass.

                            

     The Government announced today (July 14) the quarterly land sale programme for the second quarter of 2022-23, i.e. July to September 2022.
      
     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that in the second quarter of 2022-23 the Government will sell by tender three residential sites in Sha Tin, Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun. The total estimated flat yield is about 2 600 units.
      
     The Urban Renewal Authority also plans to sell by tender a development project at Wing Kwong Street/Sung On Street, To Kwa Wan, which is capable of producing about 560 units.
      
     On private development and redevelopment projects, three projects are expected to have their lease modification processes completed in the second quarter, and are capable of producing about 50 units.
      
     Ms Linn said that taking all sources of private housing land supply into account, the total private housing land supply in the second quarter is estimated to be about 3 210 units. Together with the land supply for 2 140 units in the first quarter, the total private housing land supply in the first half of 2022-23 is expected to provide about 5 350 units, reaching around 40 per cent of the annual target of private housing supply (12 900 units).
      
     As regards commercial land, the Government plans to put up for tender a site on Anderson Road, Kwun Tong, capable of providing around 13 000 square metres of gross floor area.
      
     Ms Linn said in regard to private residential land supply in 2021-22, taking into account the private development projects that do not require lease modifications recorded in the fourth quarter, as well as the tender cancellation of a residential site, the actual land supply for the financial year is adjusted to about 18 930 flats, exceeding the supply target by almost 50 per cent.
      
     "As for the remaining sites on our 2022-23 Land Sale Programme, some of them are still undergoing rezoning or road works gazettal procedures, land clearance, etc. We will press ahead with the preparatory work with a view to getting ready the potential land sale sites in the year," Ms Linn said.
      
     "The Government will continue to increase land supply through a multi-pronged approach, sparing no effort in taking forward a series of site production projects, including new development areas, reclamation, rezoning of individual sites, etc. We will also continue to look for more land resources, as well as compress our development procedures through administrative and legislative means, in order to expedite our site search and production to meet the needs of our community."
      
     The list of the sites to be tendered in July to September 2022 is in the Annex. The actual tender timetable will be drawn up taking into account the progress of necessary preparatory work. The Lands Department will announce the detailed land sale arrangements before individual sites are put up for tender.