Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, inspected the operation of a COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Station (MVS) at Maple Street Playground in Sham Shui Po today (January 15) to learn more about the public’s views on the MVS. He thanked the medical and administrative support staff for their efforts in providing services to the public. Over 1 000 people received the BioNTech vaccine at this MVS yesterday (January 14).  
      
     “To cater for the public’s demand for COVID-19 vaccination and to expedite the pace of vaccination, the Government will continue to increase the number of vaccination venues and the vaccination uptake so as to build a protective barrier in the community.” Mr Nip said.
      
     “There are now more channels for COVID-19 vaccination than before. Four additional Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) will be set up at the Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, Kowloon Bay Sports Centre, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre and Boundary Street Sports Centre this month. The number of general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority will also be increased from two to 25. Other channels include COVID-19 Vaccination Stations in public hospitals, Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health, over 1 000 private doctors or clinics providing the Sinovac vaccination service and the venues of private healthcare institutions that have enrolled in the BioNTech Vaccination Pilot Scheme.”
      
     To guard against the threat posed by the mutant virus strains with high transmissibility to the community, persons who are yet to receive vaccination should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection. Eligible persons should also receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to enhance protection and build a protective barrier in the community. Both COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from COVID-19 infection. They can provide protection to those vaccinated to prevent serious complications and even death after infection.
      
     The MVS operating in the form of a container will provide the BioNTech vaccination service at the open area outside Ching Chak House, Ching Ho Estate in Sheung Shui tomorrow (January 16) and on January 17. Another MVS which operates as a vaccination vehicle also provided the BioNTech vaccination service at the open area outside Sui Lung House, Siu Sai Wan Estate today, and will serve the public at the open area outside Lei Muk Shue Community Hall, Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan tomorrow and on January 17.
      
     Members of the public can receive their first, second or third dose of vaccination at the MVSs which operate from 10am to 5pm. The last on-site registration time is 4.30pm.  
      
     They can refer to the designated website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for the service schedule of the MVSs (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/List_Mobile_Vaccination_Station_ENG.pdf), which will be updated from time to time.

      

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 110 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and about 63kg of suspected methamphetamine, with a total estimated market value of about $70 million, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) respectively on December 31, 2021, and January 10, 2022. 

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound selected for inspection a seaborne consignment, declared as containing oats, that arrived in Hong Kong from Canada on December 31 last year. The batch of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $22.5 million, was seized inside a batch of oat packaging boxes. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on January 13 arrested a 16-year-old man and a 34-year-old man suspected to be connected to the case in Yuen Long and Sheung Shui respectively.

     Also, Customs officers on January 10 inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying solar panels, arriving in Hong Kong from Mexico at HKIA. Upon examination, the batch of suspected methamphetamine, with an estimated market value of about $47 million, was found concealed inside two sets of solar panels. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a 36-year-old woman suspected to be connected to the case in Fanling the next day.

     Investigations of the above-mentioned two cases are ongoing.

     Customs appeals to members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving goods.

     Customs reminds members of the public that cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO). Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the DDO are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.

     Under the DDO, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending a radio programme today (January 15):   Reporter: Are you optimistic that the vaccination rate can reach… read more

     The Government is highly concerned about the latest epidemic situation and strongly appeals to all sectors today (January 15) including foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to fight the virus together. The Food and Environmental Hyg… read more

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 ho… read more