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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     In response to media enquiries on vacant flats in completed public rental housing (PRH) estates of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), a spokesman for the Housing Department issued the following statement today (May 30):

     The number of vacant flats in PRH estates varies daily depending on circumstances. Domestic flats are recovered from time to time in PRH estates. They will be used for allocation to meet various purposes in accordance with the annual allocation plan, such as to PRH applicants on the waiting list, for rehousing use for redevelopment projects and various types of transfer exercises, including transfer of overcrowded households. During the period from recovery to successful allocation, temporary vacancy may occur due to various reasons, for example, renovation works or refurbishment being in progress, awaiting replies from applicants under offer, pending re-allocation of refused offers to other applicants, pooling flats for transfer schemes’ allocation or being reserved for internal transfer of households on social, medical or compassionate grounds.

     The above situation is normal in the allocation process and hence the number of vacant flats varies every day. The HA will adhere to the principle of optimising public housing resources and allocate lettable rental flats to various categories of applicants as soon as possible.

     For flats that are less popular with the applicants and have been vacant for some time, the Housing Department will make use of the Express Flat Allocation Scheme (EFAS) to invite eligible applicants, who have been on the waiting list for one year or more, to select flats in accordance with their priority. EFAS is launched around the middle of each year, having regard to the housing resources available. In addition to assisting PRH applicants to move into PRH flats earlier, EFAS also helps let the less popular PRH flats to optimise the public housing resources.

     Moreover, pockets of narrow spaces are found in domestic blocks of some PRH estates completed in earlier years. Most of them have been used as storerooms and vacant bays in the estates. The Housing Department has been keeping in view the usage of these storerooms and vacant bays and exploring various ways for better utilisation of these spaces, including converting them to PRH flats or other non-domestic use, subject to the compliance with related laws and regulations, technical feasibility, environmental constraints, lease restrictions and obtaining approvals, etc.

     Through enhanced provisions of natural lighting and ventilation, the Housing Department has in recent years successfully identified suitable storerooms/vacant bays for conversion to about 130 public housing flats. Amongst them, about 110 have already had the conversion works completed, while the remaining 20 or so are expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year. read more

     â€‹In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Kowloon City, Kwai Tsing, Yuen Long and Eastern Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (May 30) that the Kowloon City District Office (KCDO), the Kwai Tsing District Office (K&TDO), the Yuen Long District Office (YLDO) and the Eastern District Office (EDO) have distributed a total of about 309 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The KCDO and the K&TDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Sky Tower, Majestic Park, residential premises around Pak Tai Street, San Shan Road and Ma Tau Kok Road in Kowloon City District and Highland Park, Yin Lai Court and Cheung On Estate in Kwai Tsing District through the property management companies and the owners’ corporations.

     The YLDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Long Ping Estate for voluntary testing through the property management company.

     In addition, the EDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Tung Hei Court, Tung Yan Court, Felicity Garden, Tung Lam Court and residential premises around Tai Shek Street and Shing On Street for voluntary testing through the property management companies.

     The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.
          
     Members of the public may refer to the demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) via www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk to learn how to use the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.
          
     Persons testing positive through an RAT should take a photo of the test result and declare the result within 24 hours via the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If members of the public encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The CHP under the DH will contact the relevant person later to complete the report procedure. There is no need to declare negative test results.
          
     The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who have visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      As at 0.00am today (May 30), a total of 430 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 43 new patients. Among th… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 30) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, May 30, the CHP was investigating 125 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (24 confirmed cases, 91 asymptomatic cases and 10 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 150 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RATs) (71 symptomatic cases and 79 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 762 074 and 450 296 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The aforementioned newly reported cases consist of 48 imported cases (40 cases and eight cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively). The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations on the cases. Please refer to the “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.

     Meanwhile, according to the whole genome sequencing analysis by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 15 cases, 84 cases, 14 cases and 11 cases carrying the sub-lineages BA.2.12, BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 under the Omicron mutant strain respectively.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, May 30, a total of 9 165 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 087 and 75 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as three deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 9 378 death cases that have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

          Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (May 29), the total number of confirmed cases was 332 311, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 199 200, 24 and 230 414 respectively.

     As the passenger flight (ET608) operated by Ethiopian Airlines arriving in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Bangkok, Thailand, on May 27 had one passenger who failed to comply with the requirements specified under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H), as well as four passengers who tested positive upon arrival, the DH thus invoked Cap. 599H to prohibit the landing of passenger flights in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa and Bangkok operated by Ethiopian Airlines from May 31 to June 4.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed that as the local situation of COVID-19 infection is still severe, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

     â€‹The spokesman reminded that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who have yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected. read more

     The Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development held its 14th meeting today (May 30). The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, took the opportunity to summarise the work of this term of Government in enhancing Hong Kong’s status as Asia’s world city and sought members’ advice on how this objective might be further achieved.
 
     “Hong Kong is uniquely placed under ‘One Country, Two Systems’ to leverage her strengths to consolidate as an international financial, transportation and trading hub; the Central Government’s support for innovation and technology (I&T), legal services and cultural exchanges as reflected in the National 14th Five-Year Plan will give Hong Kong abundant opportunities. However, the lingering impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the local economy, continued geopolitical tensions between China and the United States and competition from Mainland cities and economies in the region will pose challenges,” said Mrs Lam.
 
     Members unanimously agreed that Hong Kong must accelerate integration into the national development now that stability had been restored through the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and improvements to the electoral system. While Hong Kong’s fundamentals remained strong, including the rule of law and a market-oriented and highly internationalised business environment, members said that there was no room for complacency. They appreciated the proactive approach adopted by the current-term Government such as the substantial investment in I&T as well as the two blueprints, namely the Lantau Tomorrow Vision (LTV) and the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy (NMDS), and reiterated that such efforts had to be sustained.
 
     At the meeting, several members expressed concern that the anti-epidemic restrictions were posing challenges to Hong Kong’s development in the short run. The gradual reopening of other international economies had put Hong Kong in a less favourable position on various fronts such as aviation and maritime businesses, I&T development, trade, and talent attraction. As the local epidemic situation has been generally brought under control, members noted that the Government has relaxed the anti-epidemic restrictions in an orderly and progressive manner.  
 
     The Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development was set up by Mrs Lam in this term of Government to provide a high-level forum for the Government to seek advice from community leaders on Hong Kong’s future development and strategies. During its four-year tenure, members met 14 times to discuss a wide range of topics strategically important to Hong Kong’s future, covering the developments of both the traditional industries (such as the financial and maritime and aviation services) and emerging sectors (such as I&T and re-industrialisation). Members had given invaluable suggestions on Hong Kong’s positioning and development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and shared their thoughts on the tense geopolitical situation and the way forward for Hong Kong to tap into the markets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economies and take an active part in the Belt and Road Initiative. Members had also deliberated on manpower development and the nurturing of talents in Hong Kong, as well as long-term development plans such as the LTV and NMDS.   
 
     Mrs Lam took the opportunity to express her heartfelt gratitude to members for their contributions, and sincerely wished that they would continue to serve the community in other capacities.