The Government yesterday (January 12) exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a "restriction-testing declaration" effective fr… read more
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 20 specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.
In view of one imported case, one possibly import-related case and four cases tested preliminarily positive, 20 specified premises are included in the compulsory testing notice. The Government strongly reminds members of the public to strictly follow the compulsory testing requirements and undergo the multiple tests on time as required. The above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well. They are advised to closely monitor their health conditions. They should seek medical attention and undergo testing even if they have only mild symptoms.
Details of the compulsory testing notice are available on the Centre for Health Protection’s website via the following link: (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ctn_20220112.pdf).
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.
The Government calls on residents of Tuen Mun and those who work there to undergo testing on a voluntary basis. Various service points for testing were set up in Tuen Mun district and arrangement was made to extend the service hours, with a view to increasing the testing quotas to meet the rapid upsurge in testing demand. A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau reminds relevant persons that they can also go to CTCs and mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable) in other districts to receive free testing. There is no need to rush only to the service points in Tuen Mun so as to save themselves from waiting.
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 further 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, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, to get vaccinated as soon as possible for better self-protection.
Subsequent to the announcement by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with a mutant strain, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on specified dates in accordance with the announcement by the Department of Health (DH). They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day (see the details of the buildings and dates of testing at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf). In addition, all household members of close contacts are required to undergo compulsory testing. Any person who had lived with a person placed under quarantine pursuant to section 22 of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (person under quarantine) in the same residential unit on the date of commencement of quarantine or during the 14 days before that day, and who becomes aware of the quarantine of the person under quarantine when the relevant quarantine has not yet been completed, has to undergo testing within two days of him or her becoming aware that the person under quarantine has been placed under quarantine and report to the Government the result of the test by phone (6275 6901), fax (2530 5872) or email (ct@csb.gov.hk) within three days of undergoing the test. For prudence’s sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.
CTCs provide testing services for the public, including free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. 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 (January 12), there were around 16 000 booking places available for tomorrow (January 13) at the CTCs, and around 68 per cent and 83 per cent availability for booking places for the coming seven days and 14 days respectively. 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 has announced the extension of service dates and hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in Tuen Mun district for local residents and those working there to undergo voluntary testing (details at www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/12/P2022011200625.htm). The Government will also re-open mobile specimen collection stations at Yue On Court in Ap Lei Chau, Villa Athena in Ma On Shan and On Ning Garden in Tseung Kwan O to provide free services for persons subject to compulsory testing tomorrow, details of the service scope are in the Annex. The mobile specimen collection station at Tamar Park in Admiralty will cease operation after today.
Free testing service will be provided to persons subject to compulsory testing at CTCs and mobile specimen collection stations located at 53 places in various districts tomorrow. The testing capacity should be sufficient to meet the demand. Persons subject to compulsory testing and those received the “LeaveHomeSafe” COVID-19 exposure notification or SMS notification from the CHP reminding them to undergo testing as soon as possible 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.
Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:
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.
If a person subject to compulsory testing obtains a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner, proving that he or she is unfit to undergo testing using a sample taken through combined nasal and throat swabs because of health reasons, then he or she may choose to undergo testing via the following routes by providing a deep throat saliva sample:
1. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 120 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 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.
The spokesman cautioned that testing received at the Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, 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.
Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notices should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.
Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the CTCs, they can check the centre’s appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the CTCs are available at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info.
The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the 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 may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person 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 4 ($25,000) 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
​The Civil Aid Services (CAS) learned from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of Department of Health yesterday (January 11) that a contract security guard working in the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre (PBQC) tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19.
The security guard worked at PBQC and undertook duties related to security and backend support. She was mainly responsible for delivering daily necessities to confinees.
The security guard wore full personal protective equipment (including surgical mask, face shield, cap, gown and gloves) and strictly followed infection control measures at work. The CAS has immediately arranged cleansing and disinfection of the areas where the security guard had worked. The CAS staff and auxiliary members who have come into close contact with the security guard have already undergone testing and all have negative results. They have been reminded by the CAS to seek medical attention immediately if they feel unwell. Currently, around eighteen security guards were identified as close contacts and are undergoing quarantine. The CAS emphasises that the manpower of the PBQC is still sufficient and the PBQC continues to operate normally. read more
​The Civil Aid Services (CAS) learned from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of Department of Health yesterday (January 11) that a contract security guard working in the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre (PBQC) tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19.
The security guard worked at PBQC and undertook duties related to security and backend support. She was mainly responsible for delivering daily necessities to confinees.
The security guard wore full personal protective equipment (including surgical mask, face shield, cap, gown and gloves) and strictly followed infection control measures at work. The CAS has immediately arranged cleansing and disinfection of the areas where the security guard had worked. The CAS staff and auxiliary members who have come into close contact with the security guard have already undergone testing and all have negative results. They have been reminded by the CAS to seek medical attention immediately if they feel unwell. Currently, around eighteen security guards were identified as close contacts and are undergoing quarantine. The CAS emphasises that the manpower of the PBQC is still sufficient and the PBQC continues to operate normally. read more
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met members of the University Grants Committee (UGC) today (January 12) in a video conference to exchange views on the latest developments of the higher education sector. This was the second time that this annual meeting between the Chief Executive and the UGC had to be held online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, also attended the meeting.
The UGC Chairman, Mr Carlson Tong, briefed the Chief Executive on the progress of the UGC’s major initiatives, including the Planning Exercise for the 2022-25 triennium, the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 and the renewal of University Accountability Agreements. He thanked the Government for approving the recurrent grants to the eight UGC-funded universities in the 2022-25 triennium as recommended by the UGC following a constructive process with the eight institutions, taking into account the planning parameters promulgated by the Government. Mr Tong also briefed the Chief Executive on the progress of the various initiatives in strengthening the universities’ research capacity under her 2021 Policy Address, including the establishment of a working group by the UGC to review the feasibility of increasing the number of publicly-funded research postgraduate student places. The Research Grants Council of the UGC would also allocate additional funding from the Research Endowment Fund to step up support for research activities in the UGC-funded universities.
Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the UGC under the leadership of Mr Tong for serving as an effective communication channel between the Government and the UGC-funded universities over the years. In particular, she commended the eight UGC-funded universities for their outstanding performance in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 announced by the UGC last year, which had since been publicised through local media to stimulate more interest in quality research in local universities. She was pleased to learn that a great majority of non-local students in the UGC-funded universities had returned to campus through efforts made by the institutions.
Looking ahead, Mrs Lam said that she was confident that Hong Kong’s higher education would go from strength to strength, and other than education and technology, could contribute in areas of raising Hong Kong’s international profile through networking with overseas and Mainland institutions, enrollment of more students from overseas and participation in regional or international organisations.
This was the fifth annual meeting held by the Chief Executive with the UGC during her term of office and was attended by the Chairman and all local and overseas members.
