The Immigration Department (ImmD) said today (March 1) that, given the occurrence of a confirmed COVID-19 case involving a Clerical Assistant responsible for providing support services at the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section on 4/F, the service at the said office and the Travel Documents (Issue) Section is suspended today in the morning. After thorough cleaning of the office, the service for urgent application for and collection of Hong Kong travel documents will resume today at 1pm. During the service suspension, members of the public in need may contact 2852 3045 for enquiries. Alternatively, they may send their enquiries by email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk or by fax at 2877 7711.

     The ImmD has arranged the staff of the office to undergo COVID-19 testing. The ImmD will continue to maintain close liaison with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and actively cooperate with the CHP's quarantine arrangements. The ImmD has also reminded its staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant. Staff have been reminded to seek medical advice and inform the department as soon as possible if feeling unwell.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) said today (March 1) that, given the occurrence of a confirmed COVID-19 case involving a Clerical Assistant responsible for providing support services at the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section on 4/F, the service at the said office and the Travel Documents (Issue) Section is suspended today in the morning. After thorough cleaning of the office, the service for urgent application for and collection of Hong Kong travel documents will resume today at 1pm. During the service suspension, members of the public in need may contact 2852 3045 for enquiries. Alternatively, they may send their enquiries by email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk or by fax at 2877 7711.

     The ImmD has arranged the staff of the office to undergo COVID-19 testing. The ImmD will continue to maintain close liaison with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and actively cooperate with the CHP's quarantine arrangements. The ImmD has also reminded its staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant. Staff have been reminded to seek medical advice and inform the department as soon as possible if feeling unwell.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority closely monitors the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority closely monitors the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     The Subsidy Scheme for Hair Salons and Barber Shops under the sixth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund will be open for applications on March 7 (Monday) to provide one-off subsidies to hair salons and barber shops that have been directed to suspend operations since February 10.

     The application arrangements of the Scheme are as follows: 

Beneficiaries

     Hair salons and barber shops that have suspended operations since February 10 pursuant to the closure order issued by the Government under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) will be eligible for the Scheme. The Scheme is also applicable to hair salons and barber shops operated by social enterprises (SEs). 

Subsidy amount

     Each eligible hair salon or barber shop will receive a one-off subsidy depending on the number of workers at its premises:
 

     The maximum subsidy amount for a hair salon or barber shop chain operated by a single entity under the same business registration is $1.5 million.

Application period

     The online application system will commence operation at 9am on March 7 (Monday). The deadline for application is 11.59pm on March 20 (Sunday).

Application methods
 

• Hair salons and barber shops with a business registration should file their applications through the Scheme's dedicated online application website (hairsubsidy.gov.hk) within the application period.
• SE operators of hair salons and barber shops without a business registration should submit their applications via the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

Information and enquiries

     A dedicated telephone hotline (1836 138) and email (info@hairsubsidy.hk) service will commence operation at 9am today (March 1) to handle enquiries on the details of the Scheme.  

Disbursement of subsidy

     The Scheme is expected to benefit about 4 200 eligible premises. A sum of $130 million has been earmarked under the Fund for the Scheme. It is expected that the Scheme Secretariat will start to disburse the subsidies within March.