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 81 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, 79 specified places are included in the compulsory testing notice. Furthermore, since some sewage samples collected in Ma On Shan have tested positive, two 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_20220713.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 13), there was around 97 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 station at Shek Yam East Estate in Kwai Chung tomorrow (July 14). The service period of the mobile specimen collection stations at Wah Fu (II) Estate in Pok Fu Lam and Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan will be extended to July 15 (Friday). 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) in a Medicine and Geriatrics ward, the spokesperson for Pok Oi Hospital gave the following update today (July 13): 

     In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing and confirmed one more patient, an 83-year-old male, as a carrier of MDRA. He is currently hospitalised under isolation with stable condition. 

     The following enhanced infection control measures have continued to be implemented according to the established guidelines:
 

1. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned; 
2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and 
3. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures. 

     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned.

     President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Eastern District Office (EDO), the Kwun Tong District Office (KTDO), the Wong Tai Sin District Office (WTSDO) and the Kowloon City District Office (KCDO) each held sessions in recent days on the topic "Spirit of the President's Important Speech" by inviting different keynote speakers to talk and exchange thoughts on the spirit of the President's important speech.      
     The EDO and the Eastern District Industries and Commerce Association today (July 13) jointly held the "Session on Learn about, Promote and Implement the Spirit of President Xi's Important Speech" at Fortress Hill. Hong Kong member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the Chairman of Hong Kong Association for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, Mr Yiu Chi-shing; Second-level Inspector of the Hong Kong Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR Mr Wen Ruen; and Member of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Mr Michael Lee, were invited to be keynote speakers. The District Officer (Eastern), Mr Simon Chan, also spoke at the session. Some 40 participants attended the session today, including members from the industrial and commercial sectors in the Eastern district.

     Following the sessions held on July 8 and 10, the KTDO, the Ambitious and Energetic Youths Club, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) Kwun Tong District Service Office, the FTU Kowloon East Office, Hong Kong Kwun Tong Industries and Commerce Association and Hong Kong Guangxi (Kowloon East) Service Centre today jointly held the "Session to Learn about the Spirit of President Xi’s Speech" at Sau Mau Ping Community Hall. Member of the LegCo Mr Tang Ka-piu, and the District Officer (Kwun Tong), Mr Andy Lam, attended as keynote speakers. Hong Kong Deputy to the National People's Congress, Member of the Executive Council and the LegCo Mr Stanley Ng, shared his thoughts through a video, while the President of the Ambitious and Energetic Youths Club, Ms Wang Hong; the Director of FTU Kwun Tong District Service Office, Mr Kan Ming-tung; the President of the Federation of Hong Kong Guangxi Community Organisations, Ms Man Wing-yee; and the President of Hong Kong Kwun Tong Industries and Commerce Association, Mr Yu Man, also spoke and shared their views with the audience at the session. More than 200 participants attended the session today, including community leaders and representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, residents and youth in Kwun Tong district.

     Further to the sessions held on July 7 and 11 respectively, the WTSDO and the Hong Kong GuangXi Yulin City CPPCC Association jointly held the "Session to Learn about and Implement the Spirit of President Xi's Important Speech" at Fung Tak Estate Community Centre yesterday (July 12). The President of the Hong Kong GuangXi Yulin City CPPCC Association, Ms Ginny Man; the Permanent President of the Hong Kong GuangXi Yulin City CPPCC Association, Mr Cho Wing-mou; the Executive Vice-President cum Secretary-General of the Hong Kong GuangXi Yulin City CPPCC Association, Ms Eva Yu; the Director of the Hong Kong GuangXi Kowloon Central District Service Centre, Mr Volais Ng; the Vice-Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin Branch of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, Mr Benny Poon; and the Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin North Area Committee, Mr Chan Ying, were invited to be the keynote speakers. The District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Steve Wong, also spoke at the session. More than 120 participants attended the session, including members of the Hong Kong GuangXi YuLin City CPPCC Association, residents, and primary and secondary school students in Wong Tai Sin district.  

     The KCDO, together with the Kowloon Federation of Associations Kowloon City District Committee, jointly held the "Session to Learn about the Spirit of President Xi's Important Speech" at the Kowloon City Government Offices on July 10, and held another session, "Sharing Session to Learn about President Xi’s Speech", with the FTU Kowloon West Office as well as the Ambitious and Energetic Youths Club at the FTU Workers' Club yesterday. The Deputy Director of the Bauhinia Academy of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Dr Chen Suting, and veteran media worker Mr Kwok Yat-ming, were the respective keynote speakers of the two sessions. Their comprehensive sharing equipped district personalities with a deeper understanding of the spirit of the President's speech while the participants were keen to raise questions. About 140 district personalities attended the two sessions.  

     Other District Offices will be rolling out sessions so as to enable more key district figures to share their thoughts on the spirit of the President's important speech.

                

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 13) strongly condemned the so-called "staff research report" recently published by the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which, once again, manifests its hegemonism by disseminating slanders and attempting to intimidate the prosecutors of the HKSAR Government.

     A spokesperson for the HKSAR Government said, "Under Article 63 of the Basic Law, '(t)he Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference'. 'Interference' includes any foreign interference. Prosecutorial decisions have always been, and will continue to be, made based on the law, the evidence and the Prosecution Code – nothing more, nothing less. In Hong Kong, which faithfully upholds the rule of law, this principle applies irrespective of the nature of the criminal offence or the personal background, including political background, of the individual involved.”

     The spokesperson rebuked that it is most despicable for the so-called "staff research report" to name the Secretary for Justice, together with 15 prosecutors, of the HKSAR Government with a threat of imposing the so-called "sanction" on them. This is clearly trampling on legal justice and attempting to threaten by way of hegemonism the HKSAR Government officials who have been discharging their due prosecution role dutifully with justice upheld. Such gross interference in Hong Kong matters constitutes a serious violation of fundamental principles of international law.

     The spokesperson said, "The attempt of the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China to repeat a lie numerous times as if it were a truth simply reflects its ill intent and amounts to nothing more than an indecent act".

     Officers of the Department of Justice of the HKSAR Government shall and will continue to discharge their duties faithfully, fearlessly and steadfastly in the best interests of Hong Kong. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, reiterated that he is not concerned about being subjected to the so-called "sanction". "We will not be intimidated. I have full confidence in my colleagues and will do whatever possible to ensure that they will be able to discharge their duties at ease," he added.

     Hong Kong Customs today (July 13) arrested a salesman of a car rental company suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to the car rental service supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesman of a car rental company had made a false claim to a customer that the car rental deposit and the unused car rental fee would be refunded within a designated period. However, no refund of the concerned amount was made.

     Furthermore, the salesman told another customer that a free upgraded car rental service would be provided if a designated amount of money was paid, after which a refund of the amount would be arranged. However, no upgraded service was provided and no refund was arranged after the customer made the payment.

     After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 44-year-old salesman of the car rental company suspected to be connected with the case.  

     An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

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