Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government today (July 11) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a “restriction-testing declaration” (declaration) effective from 5pm, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in Kwun Tong (i.e. Tak Yee House, Tak Tin Estate, Kwun Tong, see Annex) are 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. The Government aims at finishing this exercise at around 11am tomorrow (July 12). The operation may be extended depending on test results.

     A Government spokesman said, “Under Cap. 599J, the Government can, according to the needs of infection control, make a ‘restriction-testing declaration’. Having reviewed a basket of factors, including the viral load in sewage, the information of relevant positive cases, and other circumstantial factors, and conducted a risk assessment, the Government decided to make a ‘restriction-testing declaration’ for the relevant area.”

     The Government will set up temporary specimen collection stations at the “restricted area” and request persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo testing before 11pm today. Arrangements will be made for persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo a nucleic acid test at specimen collection stations where dedicated staff will collect samples through combined nasal and throat swabs. Persons subject to compulsory testing must stay at their place of residence until all test results are ascertained to avoid cross-infection risk. The Government will make arrangement to facilitate specimen collection for people with impaired mobility. All persons in the “restricted area” who have tested positive in the past 14 days, including positive cases identified either by nucleic acid tests that have been recorded by the Department of Health (DH) or by rapid antigen tests that have been self-declared to the DH, will not be required to undergo testing in this compulsory testing exercise.

     The Government spokesman said, “We understand that this exercise will cause inconvenience to the public. The Government has made arrangements to carry out testing for all persons present in the ‘restricted area’ as soon as possible. The aim is to strive to complete testing of all identified persons subject to compulsory testing and confirm the results, and finish the exercise at around 11am tomorrow. The Government will make a public announcement when the declaration expires officially. In the cases in which employees are unable to go to work because of the declaration, the Government hopes their employers can exercise discretion and not deduct the salaries or benefits of the employees.”

     If staying in the “restricted area” will cause unreasonable hardship to individuals who are not residents in the area when the declaration takes effect, government officers may exercise discretion and allow that person to leave the area after considering the individual circumstances. That person must have followed the instructions to undergo testing and leave his/her personal information for contact purposes.

     According to the compulsory testing notice to be issued today, any persons other than those specified above who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from July 5 to July 11, 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 13, 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 Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and its departments have set up a hotline (Tel: 6040 6392) which started operation at 5pm today for residents restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance. The Social Welfare Department will also provide assistance to the affected persons.

     The Government appeals to persons subject to compulsory testing for their full co-operation by registering and undergoing testing, and waiting for the results patiently at home. The Government will strictly follow up on whether the persons concerned have complied with the compulsory testing notices and “restriction-testing declaration”. 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 or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months. read more

     The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (July 11) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     In light of the implementation of mandatory use of the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile application when entering government premises, all persons are required to use the app to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter temporary night heat shelters, except for exempted persons (including persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and persons without smartphones). All exempted persons are required to complete a prescribed form to register their personal particulars, contact phone number and the date and time of entry. The staff will verify the information provided.
 
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Chi Shin Activity Centre
G/F, Tseung Kwan O South Ancillary Facilities Block, 5 Chi Shin Street, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Wu Shan Road Community Hall
101 Wu Shan Road, Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community.
 
     People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas of the designated community centres and community halls. For the addresses of these designated community centres and community halls, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more

     The Digital Economy Development Committee (DEDC), chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, held its first meeting today (July 11).

     At the meeting today, Members discussed the strategy of promoting the development of the digital economy in Hong Kong. Members exchanged opinions on issues such as enabling more effective development and adoption of digital infrastructure, big data and artificial intelligence by the Government and the community; promoting the flow of data; and further fostering digital transformation, etc. Members also shared their views on various aspects of the digital economy, including application of data and information technology for economic and financial development, enhancing administration and smart city management, unleashing the potential of relevant industries, and strengthening education and manpower as well as relevant laws and regulations, etc. 
      
     Mr Chan said, “Digitalisation is an important trend which drives society towards high-quality and speedy development. The Government endeavours to strengthen the development of the digital economy, and, through tapping the wise counsel of experts and stakeholders in the industry, formulate a practical blueprint for the future and steer the directions of development. Today we had a highly constructive and insightful meeting. I thank Members for their valuable views.”
      
     Members of the DEDC include government officials of the relevant bureaux and departments, as well as experts and scholars from the industry and commerce, logistics, e-commerce, information and communications technology, and academic sectors. 
      
     The DEDC was set up pursuant to the Financial Secretary’s announcement in the 2022-23 Budget. It aims to advise the Government on the development of a digital economy with a focus on the following:
 

• identifying key development trends, main drivers, key success factors as well as development initiatives;
• setting directions, strategies, focus areas, priorities and key performance indicators;
• formulating strategies and measures to enhance co-operation and co-ordination with key stakeholders;
• driving the growth of data services as an industry;
• formulating strategies and measures to encourage the adoption of digitalisation by different industries; and
• promoting digital government.

 
     The membership of the Committee is as follows:
 
Chairman
————
Financial Secretary
 
Official Members
——————-
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Government Economist
Government Chief Information Officer
  
Non-official Members (in alphabetic order)
————————-
Dr Rocky Cheng
Mr Herbert Chia
Mr Duncan Chiu
Ms Susanna Hui
Mr Sean Lee
Dr Kelvin Leung
Mr James Li
Ms Anna Lin
Professor Helen Meng
Dr Harry Shum
Mr Allen Yeung
Mr Eric Yeung
Mr Alex Yung read more

     Following the first session last week, the Civil Service Bureau today (July 11) held the second session on “Spirit of the President’s Important Speech” at the Central Government Offices. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended as keynote speaker, so as to enable the participants to obtain a deeper understanding of the spirit of the President’s important speech.

     President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech on 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). He raised “four musts” for the new administration: we must fully and faithfully implement the principle of “one country, two systems”; we must uphold the Central Government’s overall jurisdiction while securing the HKSAR’s high degree of autonomy; we must ensure that Hong Kong is administered by patriots; and we must maintain Hong Kong’s distinctive status and advantages. President Xi also laid down “four proposals” for the newly inaugurated Government, i.e. further improving its governance, continuing to create strong impetus for growth, earnestly addressing people’s concerns and difficulties in daily life, and working together to safeguard harmony and stability.

     Mr Lee reiterated at the session that President Xi’s important speech was of high significance as an important milestone, and provided crucial guidance on governance by the HKSAR Government in the coming five years. He encouraged the top echelon and civil servants of the HKSAR Government to grasp the core essence of President Xi’s important speech, build it into their own work, join efforts to enhance governance capacity and efficacy, and enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness. He also encouraged the officials to centre their work on easing people’s hardship, create harmony and stability in the community, and respect and safeguard the country’s fundamental systems on their own volition.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, also shared his thoughts and feelings at the session. Some other participants shared their views at the session as well.

     The session today was attended by over 200 participants, mainly comprising civil servants at the rank of Directorate Pay Scale Point 3 or above and officers at the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade C.

     The Civil Service Bureau will run further sessions, so as to enable more civil servants to obtain a deeper understanding of the spirit of the President’s important speech.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Developmrent Council:

     The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, today (July 3) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of famous film director Mr Alex Law Kai-yui.

     Mr Wong said, “Alex is a leading figure in the development of the local film industry. Being an outstanding Hong Kong film director, he had earned a lot of achievement throughout his career. He had also contributed a lot to the local film industry. He was member of the FDC from 2013 to 2015. Being the Chairman of the FDC, I am particularly impressed by Alex’s enthusiasm to support the programmes launched by the FDC. He joined the Directors’ Succession Scheme in order to pass his exceptional directing knowledge and experiences to the younger generation. He also helped assess the works of the Scriptwriting Incubation Programme and First Feature Film Initiative for identifying screenwriting talents and new directors. His departure is a huge loss for the local film industry and he will be truly missed.” read more