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Author Archives: hksar gov

Working Group on air change or air purifiers in catering premises holds meeting in view of latest epidemic developments

     â€‹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 the 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 held an online meeting yesterday evening (May 20) in view of clusters of infection cases at restaurants recently. The Chairman of the Working Group, expert members and representatives from government departments were briefed by two departments on the respective inspection findings of implementation of air change and air purifiers, and discussed the latest epidemic developments and offered views on anti-epidemic strategies.

     According to the announcement of the Government, the local epidemic situation has been stable for a period of time, with the number of confirmed cases staying at the level of 200 to 300 daily. As the risks are under control, the second stage of the relaxation in social distancing measures commenced from May 19. In view of the public’s earnest expectations for the resumption of social and economic activities in a gradual and ordered manner, the Working Group reminded all catering business operators to ensure that the operations of their ventilation systems and air purifiers in their premises are in optimal and proper conditions, which will be conducive to stabilising the epidemic. 

     The items discussed by the Working Group at the meeting included:

(a) examining the recent clusters of infection cases related to restaurants, including hitherto the cumulative number of confirmed cases dining at the material time at the respective restaurants, and known information on their air change and air purifiers;
(b) reporting by the representatives of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) on the findings on air change data gathered and analysed from the operation of the ventilation systems of 55 restaurants (as samples), selected from some 2 000 restaurants registered to have met the requirement of air change per hour (ACH) at six or above with no air purifiers installed, over the past few months. It was revealed that 11 restaurants could improve their ventilation situations through simple cleansing, maintenance or repair work. Such information can facilitate the formulation of recommendations on follow up measures that could be adopted by restaurants (as population) in future; 
(c) reporting by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) that, leaving aside some 2 000 restaurants above-mentioned (i.e. restaurants with no air purifiers installed) and over 1 400 restaurants closed for business, the FEHD inspected all the remaining 14 700 some restaurants registered with the installation of air purifiers, and cross-checked on-site the brand, model and number of over 30 600 air purifiers against the data recorded in the certificates registered, recorded their positions on layout plans, conducted checking on whether the devices were switched on, operated, maintained and other issues (such as display of notices on air change), over the past few months; and 
(d) exploring measures on air change and air purifiers that could be followed up by catering premises operators in the near future, so as to get themselves better prepared for the third stage of the relaxation in social distancing measures, and putting forward some observations and advice after analysing the information known at this stage.

     Representatives of the EMSD advised at the meeting that all catering premises operators should pay special attention to the following, in view of the findings on the problems on operating the ventilation systems by individual restaurants during its inspection:

(a) catering staff should get themselves conversant with basic knowledge and understanding on the design and operation of the ventilation systems. Apart from switching on and using the systems, they must also ensure that these are functioning well, with sufficient supply and, as far as practicable, even distribution of fresh air supply;
(b) apart from regular and proper maintenance and repairs, must pay attention to whether or not the systems and mechanics are out of order or they are functioning well, such as weakened air outlets, abnormal sounds or vibration, illuminated warning light, and more;
(c) regular cleansing of the ventilation systems (including air outlets/louvers and air ducts) and/or replacement of dust filters, so as to maintain air flow and air quality; and
(d) all restaurants (especially large restaurants) must pay attention to the distribution of fresh air supply of the ventilation systems to ensure that sufficient fresh air supply is available at different positions of the restaurant. For the restaurants inside large shopping malls, the fresh air supply may be provided by the air ventilation systems of the malls, premises operators must observe if the fresh air supply is sufficient and, as necessary, ask the management of the shopping malls to take measurement and make adjustment. 

     During its inspections, the FEHD also reminded premises operators to properly maintain and repair the fresh air supply systems approved under the restaurant licences, and to switch on the systems when premises are opened for business, so that the supply of outside air functions normally. They are also reminded to comply with the requirements under Cap. 599F to switch on and operate the ventilation systems and air purifiers (if installed) when the premises are opened for business, and regularly maintain and repair the facilities properly.

     According to the requirements under Cap. 599F, catering premises which have yet to register via the designated FEHD webpage on compliance with a minimum of six ACH or installation of air purifiers meeting the prescribed specifications by February 24 this year are required to remain closed until such registration has been completed and confirmation from the FEHD as valid has been obtained.  

     Since the requirement on ventilation under the directions of Cap. 599F came into force on March 18, 2021, the FEHD has initiated procedures on prosecutions against 51 cases violating this requirement (including five cases which are opened for business without relevant registrations after February 24).

     The Working Group would also like to remind operators of catering premises through the FEHD that at all times when their premises are in operation, apart from complying with the ventilation requirement pursuant to the directions made under Cap. 599F, they must at the same time 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. In other words, even if air purifiers have been installed, the catering premises operators must still switch on and properly operate its fresh air supply systems at all times. They should also remind their catering staff of the necessity of switching on and proper operation of the ventilation systems when their premises are opened for business, as well as to maintain and repair the concerned systems in order to ensure the fulfilment of the above-mentioned requirements on outside air supply.

     As regards air purifiers, the FEHD has issued letters to catering business operators for multiple times to remind them to properly switch on, operate, maintain and repair the air purifiers in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual when the premises are opened for business. The Working Group reiterated that in light of most of the air purifiers having been used for a period of time, HEPA air purifiers must be regularly maintained as per the manufacturer’s instructions, and HEPA filter must be regularly replaced according to the intervals recommended by the manufacturer; whereas for UV-C air purifiers, one must regularly maintain the devices as per the manufacturer’s instructions, and, after having the UV-C lights switched off, clean the shields using proper tools and remove the dust inside the devices.

     The Chairman of the Working Group, Professor Yuen Pak-leung, said, “Apart from sufficient outside air supply, the air volume of the ventilation system has to be evenly distributed within seating areas and individual compartments as far as practicable. Air purifiers should also be installed in a position that could effectively cover the areas occupied by users. Moreover, tables should not be arranged near dead corners of the restaurant. Air mixing through air movement so as to achieve dilution and cleansing effect could mitigate the stagnant air problem in dead corners.”

      “Operators of the catering premises must stay vigilant about the operation of ventilation systems. In case clusters of infection cases emerge, the restaurants may risk tarnishing their reputation and losing their customers. Operators are required to review the ventilation systems of the premises 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 registered specialist contractor (ventilation works category) (ventilation contractors),” Professor Yuen continued.

     The Working Group and the government departments will continue to keep in view the local epidemic development and international discussions on ventilation standards and examine whether recommendations of adjustment are needed. 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 health protection of their own as well as the public. read more

East Asia

Government gazettes compulsory testing notice

     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 44 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, 44 specified places 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 are available on the Centre for Health Protection (CHP)’s website via the following link: www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ctn_20220521.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 (May 21), 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 set up or reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Hing Wah (II) Estate in Chai Wan, Wah Fu (II) Estate in Pok Fu Lam, Lok Fu Estate, Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan and On Yam Estate in Kwai Chung tomorrow (May 22). The service period of the mobile specimen collection station at Richland Gardens in Kowloon Bay will be extended to May 23 (Monday). 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.
 
     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 spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau 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.” read more

East Asia