The Department of Health (DH) today (July 14) said that as the Deputy Director of Health had tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test, subsequent to the assessment conducted by the Centre for Health Protection … read more
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, July 14, 2022 is 101 (up 0.3 against yesterday’s index). read more
The Government yesterday (July 13) 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 6pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in Sheung Shui (i.e. Ching Cheung House, Cheung Lung Wai Estate, Sheung Shui) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing were required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the “restricted area” had undergone testing and the test results were mostly ascertained.
In addition, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring persons who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from July 7 to July 13, 2022, even if they were not present in the “restricted area” at the time when the declaration took effect, to undergo compulsory testing on or before July 15, 2022.
The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 9.15am today (July 14) and carried out enforcement action in the “restricted area” afterwards to verify that all people in the “restricted area” had undergone compulsory testing in accordance with the requirements of the relevant declaration and compulsory testing notice. The Government announced that the enforcement operation ended at around 11.15am today.
The Government provided food packs for persons subject to compulsory testing to facilitate their meal arrangements. Anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines donated by the Central People’s Government or procured with the co-ordination of the Central People’s Government and rapid test kits were also distributed to persons subject to compulsory testing to help them fight against the virus.
The Government thanks persons subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding. With everyone’s co-operation and efforts, coupled with the efforts of the testing contractors throughout the night, residents have been informed about their testing results by SMS notification. After finishing the compulsory testing exercise at around 9.15am today, the Government took enforcement action in the “restricted area” immediately to verify that all people in the “restricted area” had undergone testing according to the requirements of the declaration and the compulsory testing notice. Persons who could present an SMS notification containing a negative testing result or wore a wristband as proof of having undergone the compulsory testing could leave the “restricted area” through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer. The enforcement operation was completed at around 11.15am. Test records of 717 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. Twenty-nine persons were found not having undergone compulsory testing and compulsory testing orders were issued to them. Taking into account the above situation, the Secretary for Health revoked the “restriction-testing declaration” in accordance with Cap. 599J (see attachment).
The Government reminds the 105 households who have not answered the door to undergo a nucleic acid test as soon as possible after reading the notices put up by the Government, in the hope of eliminating the possible risk of further spread of the virus in the community.
The Government thanks all participating government staff and the testing agencies for their hard work. The Government is also grateful to those subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding, and their full co-operation during this period in undergoing testing and waiting for the results at home.
The Government will seriously follow up on the compliance situation of the compulsory testing notices and the “restriction-testing declaration” by persons subject to compulsory testing. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be liable to a fixed penalty of $10,000. The person will 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 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. read more
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (July 14) extended his congratulations to Hong Kong wushu athletes Lee Wing-yung, Yeung Chung-hei and Michelle Yeung on winning a bronze medal each in the Women’s Taolu Nanquan and Nandao, Men’s Taolu Taijiquan and Taijijian, and Women’s Taolu Daoshu and Gunshu events respectively in the World Games 2022, adding three bronze medals to Hong Kong’s tally in this year’s games.
Mr Yeung said, “Lee Wing-yung, Yeung Chung-hei and Michelle Yeung displayed their excellence in the World Games 2022 and won a bronze medal in each of the three wushu events. Their outstanding performances had told a good story of Chinese culture. We are thrilled by their success and wish Hong Kong athletes to perform well in the remaining competitions.”
The World Games 2022 features 33 events. A total of 17 athletes from Hong Kong are taking part in this year’s games, competing in eight events. read more
​Hong Kong Customs today (July 14) reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe model of a flying toy with projectiles. Test results indicated that the toy could pose a risk of hurting children’s or other people’s eyes or faces. To avoid an accident, parents should immediately stop their children playing with the toy. Traders should also remove the toy from their shelves.
Customs earlier test-purchased various models of throwing and flying toys from retailers in different districts for safety testing. Test results revealed that one model of a flying toy with projectiles could discharge projectiles with a kinetic energy level exceeding the safety limit. It could cause injury to other people if the shooting was aimed at the eyes or the face.
Customs later conducted an operation and searched a retailer’s premises in connection with the case. Five suspected unsafe flying toys with projectiles of the same model were seized and a prohibition notice was served at the same time to prohibit the continued sale of the toy by the retailer.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and playing with throwing and flying toys:
