The Telecommunications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulation (the Regulation) took effect on September 1 last year to implement the Real-name Registration Programme for Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards (Real-name Registration Programme). According to the Regulation, SIM card users are required to register their SIM cards starting from March 1 this year.
 
     New SIM cards, including SIM service plan (SSP) services and pre-paid SIM (PPS) cards issued from this date onwards will need to complete real-name registration before activation. Existing PPS card users are required to complete real-name registration with respective telecommunications operators on or before February 23, 2023. PPS cards without real-name registration will be rendered deactivated after the aforementioned deadline. Existing SSP users are not required to re-register unless they change to another telecommunications operator or subscribe to a new phone number.
 
     Real-name registration is easy, convenient and fast. SIM card users can follow the instructions of the registration notification as sent out by respective telecommunications operators via SMS messages or other means to complete registration via different channels, including retail shops, mobile applications or websites of the telecommunications operators. Individual users are required to provide their name, date of birth, Hong Kong identity (HKID) card number and an HKID card copy for registration. Registration of SIM card users aged below 16 requires endorsement by an adult aged 18 or above, and the personal information of that adult will need to be registered at the same time. Corporate users are required to provide business registration information and designate a responsible person, with the personal information of that person provided.
 
     Under the Real-name Registration Programme, each individual user may register no more than 10 PPS cards with each telecommunications operator, whereas each corporate user may register up to 25 PPS cards with each telecommunications operator. There is no upper limit on the number of registrable SSP cards. For details of the Real-name Registration Programme, please visit the website: www.ofca.gov.hk/simreg.
 
     The Government will progressively launch a series of publicity items to remind the public that the Real-name Registration Programme has already started. The Government will also collaborate with various government departments, social welfare organisations and telecommunications operators to assist groups in need to complete real-name registration through multiple channels. Details of the assistance measures will be announced in due course.
 
     The Real-name Registration Programme commenced on September 1 last year and will be implemented in two phases. Within phase one (i.e. on or before February 28, 2022), telecommunications operators are required to put in place relevant infrastructure and systems for implementing real-name registrations in accordance with the Regulation. The Communications Authority has issued guidelines to telecommunications operators to provide information on the specific operational details and requirements of the Real-name Registration Programme. The Real-name Registration Programme is applicable to all SIM cards issued by telecommunications operators of Hong Kong to be used for local person-to-person communications (including voice, data and/or SMS services).

     The Government exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" on February 5 with effect from 7pm, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Tuen Mun (i.e. Hing Cheung House, 6 Tai Hing Street, (excluding Yuen Long (2) District Maintenance Office, Housing Department, The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation-Community Rehabilitation Network (Tai Hing Centre), The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council Tai Hing Hostel and Tuen Mun Youths Association on G/F), and Hing Tai House, 2 Tai Hing Street (excluding District Lands Office/Tuen Mun Squatter Control Team, Clearance (2) Office (Tuen Mun Sub-office), Lands Department, and Fu Hong Society Kit Hong Home), Tai Hing Estate, Tuen Mun) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. The Government yesterday (February 6) decided to extend the period of operation for Hing Tai House in the "restricted area" and aims at finishing the exercise at about 7.30am today (February 7). Persons subject to compulsory testing at Hing Tai House are required to stay in their premises and undergo two tests under the designated arrangement until all such persons identified in Hing Tai House in the "restricted area" have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. In addition, those who have visited Hing Tai House in the past two weeks for more than two hours should undergo testing on or before February 7, 2022, in accordance with the compulsory testing notice issued earlier.
      
     The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 9am today and is now carrying out enforcement actions in the "restricted area" to verify that all people in the "restricted area" have undergone compulsory testing. The Government will make a public announcement when the declaration expires officially.
      
     Starting from around 9am today, persons in Hing Tai House in the "restricted area" in Tuen Mun who have undergone testing and are able to present SMS notifications with negative test results as proof of having undergone testing may leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer.
      
     The Government had set up temporary specimen collection stations in the "restricted area" and requested persons subject to compulsory testing to collect combined nasal and throat swab samples at the stations to undergo a COVID-19 virus test on February 5 and February 6 under the designated arrangement. As at 1am today, a total of 5 546 person-time had undergone testing. Fifteen preliminary positive cases and one indeterminate case were found and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will take follow up action. 
      
     Moreover, the Government also assigned staff to visit 1 380 households, among which 97 households did not answer the door. The Government will take measures to follow up.
      
     The Government reiterates that enforcement actions will be taken seriously. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a test result as proof of having undergone testing breaches the compulsory testing notice and may be liable to a fine of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/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 may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

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 issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     The online application system (bmpsubsidy.gov.hk) of the Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms 2022 launched by the Government under the fifth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund commences operation at 9am today (February 7). The deadline for application is 11.59pm on February 20 (Sunday).
 
Beneficiaries
 
     Beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms (including local pleasure vessels let for hire or reward) that have suspended operations since January 7 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 beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms operated by social enterprises (SEs).
 
Information and enquiries
 
     Details of the eligibility criteria, the terms and conditions of the applications and Frequently Asked Questions of the Scheme are available at the application website. Applicants are advised to read this important information before submitting applications. A dedicated telephone hotline (Tel: 1836 188) and an email address (info@bmpsubsidy.hk) have been set up to handle enquiries on the details of the Scheme. As for enquiries regarding the details of the subsidy for pleasure vessels under the Scheme, owners of pleasure vessels may contact the Marine Department (Tel: 2852 4931). SEs may contact the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (Tel: 2864 2993).

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (February 7) said that a Social Security Assistant of Tsz Wan Shan Social Security Field Unit who works in the Lung Cheung Office Block in Wong Tai Sin has tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19.

     The staff member last performed duties on January 31. She had been wearing a mask when performing duties. Her body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work.

     Thorough cleaning and disinfection will be arranged at the premises concerned. All SWD staff of the same floor will undergo COVID-19 testing according to the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and work from home while waiting for the results. The SWD will maintain close contact with the CHP to take follow-up action as appropriate. Tsz Wan Shan Social Security Field Unit on the first floor of the Lung Cheung Office Block will be closed today.

     During the pandemic, the department has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures, including measuring the body temperature of people entering the office and providing masks and other personal protective equipment for staff. Staff members are reminded to pay attention to personal hygiene and to stay vigilant. They should seek medical advice immediately if feeling unwell.