The Secretary for Food and Health stipulated in March last year a requirement on air change or air purifiers to be complied with by dine-in catering premises in the directions in relation to catering business under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F). The Working Group established for the smooth implementation of the requirement, together with representatives of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, inspected yesterday evening (May 23) a Sheung Wan restaurant where a cluster of infection cases had previously emerged, so as to acquire an understanding of the improvement works the restaurant has made in relation to its ventilation systems after the event.
 
     During the inspection, the operator of the restaurant told the Working Group that the restaurant had hitherto suspended its business operation upon receipt of the Centre of Health Protection's notification. Apart from cleaning and disinfection for different areas of the premises by the restaurant, a series of repair works had also been carried out by its ventilation contractors for the ventilation system of the premises to improve the ventilation situation and reduce the risk of virus transmission.
 
     The Chairman of the Working Group, Professor Yuen Pak-leung, said, "The Working Group strongly appeals to catering premises operators to proactively check the ventilation systems of their restaurants, to ensure their proper operation, sufficient fresh air supply and even coverage of all areas. If necessary, they should seek assistance from professionals, such as a registered specialist contractor (ventilation works category) (ventilation contractor). With further relaxation in social distancing measures under the forthcoming third stage approaching, the customers of the restaurants will progressively increase, and ensuring sound air change and air purifier measures have become all the more important."
 
     He continued, "The Working Group would like to take this opportunity to remind catering premises operators again to properly maintain and repair the fresh air supply systems approved under the restaurant licences, and to switch on and operate the systems when the premises are open for business, so that the supply of outside air functions normally. This serves to comply with the requirement under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) that the licensed premises must be provided with a ventilating system that will provide for each person accommodated in the premises an amount of outside air of not less than 17 cubic metres per hour per person. They are also reminded to observe the air change and/or air purifiers as registered pursuant to the directions under Cap. 599F. They are required to switch on and operate the ventilation systems and the air purifiers (if installed) when the premises are open for business, and regularly maintain and repair the facilities properly. Even if air purifiers have been installed, the catering premises operators must still switch on and operate their fresh air supply systems at all times."

     The FEHD also takes this opportunity to reiterate other requirements and restrictions under the directions of Cap. 599F, including that, while away from their tables, customers must not consume food or drink and must wear a mask.
 
     The Working Group reiterates its calls for the catering sector, other sectors and members of the public to continue to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner to protect personal and public health. In addition, as vaccination is a very crucial part of the local anti-epidemic strategy, the Working Group also encourages the public who have not yet received vaccination to get vaccinated as early as possible for better protection of their own health as well as that of the public.

    

     â€‹In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Southern, Wan Chai and Eastern Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (May 24) that the Southern District Office (SDO), the Wan Chai District Office (WCDO) and the Eastern District Office (EDO) have distributed a total of about 273 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.
      
     The SDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in South Horizons, Chi Fu Fa Yuen and Chi Fu Fa Yuen – Yar Chee Villas for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
      
     The WCDO also started to distribute rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Lai Tak Tsuen, Dragon Court, Viking Villas, Serenade and The Pavilia Hill for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the owners' corporations.
      
     In addition, the EDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Braemar Hill Mansions, Pacific Palisades, Beverley Heights, Evelyn Towers, Coral Court, Heng Fa Chuen and Heng Fa Villa 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 effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 is 99 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

      To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the 35th anniversary of Sha Tin Town Hall (STTH) and Tuen Mun Town Hall (TMTH), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present "25 · 35 Performing Arts Carnivals" from May to December at TMTH, STTH, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Yuen Long Theatre and Kwai Tsing Theatre respectively. The first carnival will be held at TMTH from 2pm to 5pm on May 29. Various artists and performing groups will offer a wide range of free performing arts programmes. Members of the public are welcome to join.
     
     Six performances of "25 · 35 Performing Arts Carnivals" include original music, songs and choreography with the theme of Dance with Hope presented by DancingAndy and Artists; an a cappella performance with rearranged enchanting pieces and folk songs by Yat Po Singers; a cinematic music experience with live effects and soul music showcased by Endor by Drip Music, which brings the audience to the high streets and lanes of Hong Kong; a musical by the Actors' Family, which runs through their classic musical original songs, showcasing the quintessence of Hong Kong culture; a music performance of Jazzical by Music Lab featuring rearranged classical music pieces with inspiration from jazz, and contemporary ballet and Uyghur dances by the School of Dance of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
 
     Other performances and activities of the carnival include a Cantonese operatic musical, music and dance performances, children's literary theatre and exhibitions.
    
     Admission to all programmes is free. Programme details are available on the TMTH website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/tmth/2535performingartscarnival.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, members of the public are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the performance venues managed by the LCSD for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. Besides, 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 requirement of the Vaccine Pass.

            

     The Government today (May 24) announced that the 64th round of compulsory testing for staff members of residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs), residential care homes for persons with disabilities (RCHDs) and nursing homes will commence shortly.

     In accordance with section 10(1) of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J), the Secretary for Food and Health issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday (May 23), requiring persons who are employed by and will be on duty at RCHEs, RCHDs, nursing homes and day service units attached to the premises of residential care homes during the period from June 1 to 7, 2022, or who will provide services to residents or users through hire-of-service contracts with residential care homes and the aforementioned units during that period (including full-time, part-time and relief staff), to undergo polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 during the period from May 25 to 31, 2022, according to the requirements and procedure set out in the notice (the Specified Test). The samples must be collected by using combined nasal and throat swabs and must not be taken by the person to be tested. However, persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course (i.e. received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the end of the testing period) are not required to undergo the Specified Test. Persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course in places outside Hong Kong (i.e. received the recommended dose(s) of a COVID-19 vaccine as stipulated in relevant guidelines at least 14 days before the end of the testing period, and the vaccine used is included on the list of vaccines recognised for specified purposes as published on www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/list_of_recognised_covid19_vaccines.pdf), are also not required to undergo the Specified Test.

     The staff of institutions who had obtained a positive test result in the Specified Test or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 on or after April 25, 2022, are not required to undergo testing in accordance with the requirements of the notice provided that they can produce the relevant SMS (mobile phone text message) notification containing the positive result of the test, or the relevant SMS notification or isolation order issued after making a declaration on the Government's Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test.

     The staff of institutions who are required to undergo the Specified Test may choose the following means:

(1) To undergo the Specified Test in any of the community testing centres (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en), temporary testing centres (if any) (see the list at www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_supportser/sub_ttc), or mobile specimen collection stations (if any) (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) in accordance with the instructions given by the staff at the centre/station;

(2) To have a sample collected by a healthcare professional or trained personnel as arranged by institution operators at a laboratory listed on the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf); or

(3) To self-arrange testing provided by a laboratory listed on the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" at their own expense (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf) and the sample through a combined nasal and throat swab must not be taken by the person himself or herself.

     Any person who fails to comply with the testing notice commits an offence and may be subject to a fixed penalty of $10,000. He or she 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 order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said that the SWD and the Department of Health would issue letters to institutions to inform them of the relevant arrangements and requirements. The spokesman reminded staff of the said institutions who will undergo testing at community testing centres that they should make an advance booking via the community testing centre booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk) for the free testing service. In addition, institution operators should remind their staff members to properly keep the SMS notifications of their test results or their test result reports.

     Institution operators are required to keep records of their staff having received the Specified Test and the results within the time frames specified by the Government. They are also required to keep the list of staff members who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course. Institution operators also have to co-operate with Checking Officers (Compulsory Testing) of the SWD who are enforcing the Regulation at residential care homes.

     The SWD spokesman said that starting from the 26th round of compulsory testing, staff members who have not been vaccinated and do not have medical certificates certifying that they are unfit to receive COVID-19 vaccination owing to health reasons have had to undergo compulsory testing at their own expense. The Government will continue to monitor the epidemic situation and make adjustments to the aforementioned testing policy after taking the overall anti-epidemic measures into account. Although staff members who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course are exempted from the regular compulsory testing, they can still receive free testing for the time being if they voluntarily choose to undergo the test.