The Government yesterday (January 8) 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 from 7pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in North Point (i.e. Block B, Flora Garden, 50 Cloud View Road, North Point) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing were required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the area had undergone testing and the test results were mostly ascertained. Moreover, the Government issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday, requiring persons who had been present at the above building for more than two hours from December 27, 2021 to January 8, 2022, even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect, to undergo compulsory testing on or before January 10, 2022. The Government announced the completion of the compulsory testing exercise at around 6.30am today (January 9) and carried out enforcement action in the "restricted area" afterwards to verify that all people in the "restricted area" had undergone compulsory testing in accordance with the requirements of the relevant declaration and compulsory testing notice. The Government announced that the enforcement operation ended at around 9am today.
 
     In this exercise, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) (including the Eastern District Office), the Hong Kong Police Force, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, and the Auxiliary Medical Service mobilised around 140 staff to arrange for implementation of the declaration and enforcement actions for breaches of the compulsory testing notice issued earlier.
 
     The Government provided simple food for persons subject to compulsory testing, including canned food, instant noodles and corn kernels, so as to facilitate the dinner arrangements of some persons subject to compulsory testing. One box of masks was also provided to each person subject to compulsory testing to help them fight against the virus.
 
     The HAD also set up a hotline for people restricted by the declaration to make enquiries and seek assistance.
 
     The Government thanks persons subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding. With everyone's co-operation and efforts, coupled with the tireless efforts of the testing contractors, residents have been informed about their testing results by SMS notification. After finishing the compulsory testing exercise at around 6.30am today, the Government took enforcement action in the "restricted area" immediately to verify that all people in the "restricted area" had undergone testing according to the requirements of the declaration and the compulsory testing notice. Persons who could present an SMS notification containing a negative testing result or wore a wristband as proof of having undergone the compulsory testing could leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit after providing personal information to a prescribed officer. The enforcement operation was completed at around 9am. Test records of around 10 persons subject to compulsory testing were checked. Nobody was found to have not undergone compulsory testing.Taking into account the above situation, the Secretary for Food and Health revoked the "restriction-testing declaration" in accordance with Cap. 599J (see attachment).
 
     The Government reminds the about 10 households who have not answered the door to contact the Government for arrangement of testing as soon as possible after reading the notices put up by the Government, in the hope of eliminating the possible risk of further spread of the virus in the community.

     The Government thanks all participating government staff and the testing agencies for their hard work. The Government is also grateful to those subject to compulsory testing for their support and understanding, and their full co-operation during this period in undergoing testing and waiting for the results at home.

     The Government will seriously follow up on the compliance situation of the compulsory testing notices and the "restriction-testing declaration" by persons subject to compulsory testing. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will 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 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 Government yesterday (January 8) 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 from 7pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Tung Chung (i.e. Shun Yat House, Yat Tung (II) Estate, 8 Yat Tung Road, Tung Chung) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the "restricted area" have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. In addition, the Government had issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday to any person who had been present at the building for more than two hours from December 19, 2021 to January 8, 2022, to undergo compulsory testing on or before January 10, 2022 even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect. The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 7am today (January 9) 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 further announce the revocation time of the declaration.
     
     ​Starting from around 7am today, persons in the "restricted area" in Tung Chung who have undergone testing and are able to present SMS notifications with negative test results or wear wristbands 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 set up temporary specimen collection stations in the "restricted area" yesterday 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 before 1am today. As at 1am today, 1 287 persons had undergone testing. No confirmed cases were found.
     
     ​Moreover, the Government also assigned staff to visit around 399 households, among which 13 households did not answer the door. The Government will take measures to follow up.
     
     ​The Government also understands that some residents already underwent testing at some other collection stations or by other means. Therefore, persons in the "restricted area" who have undergone testing from January 6 to January 8, 2022, and are able to provide the SMS notification through mobile phone or related certification containing the test results, may leave the "restricted area" through the designated exit.
     
     ​The Government reiterates that enforcement actions will be taken seriously. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a test result or wear a wristband 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 Government yesterday (January 8) 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 from 7pm yesterday, under which people (hereafter referred to as "persons subject to compulsory testing") within the specified "restricted area" in Causeway Bay (i.e. Tower 1, Jupiter Terrace, 18 Jupiter Street, Causeway Bay) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. Persons subject to compulsory testing are required to stay in their premises until all such persons identified in the "restricted area" have undergone testing and the test results are mostly ascertained. In addition, the Government had issued a compulsory testing notice yesterday to any person who had been present at the building for more than two hours from December 27, 2021 to January 8, 2022 to undergo compulsory testing on or before January 10, 2022 even if they were not present in the "restricted area" at the time when the declaration took effect. The Government finished the compulsory testing exercise at around 6.45am today (January 9) 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 further announce the revocation time of the declaration.

     Starting from around 6.45am today, persons in the "restricted area" in Causeway Bay who have undergone testing and are able to present SMS notifications with negative test results or wear wristbands 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 arranged dedicated staff to collect samples through combined nasal and throat swabs at the "restricted area" yesterday and requested persons subject to compulsory testing to undergo testing before 11.30pm yesterday. As at 11.30 pm yesterday, around 185 residents had undergone testing. No tested positive cases were found. 

     Moreover, the Government also assigned staff to visit around 90 households, among which around 10 households did not answer the door. Those may include some households undergoing quarantine or isolation. Some units are possibly vacant as well. The Government does not have detailed information in this respect and will take measures to follow up.

     The Government also understands that some residents already underwent testing at the mobile specimen collection stations set up in the district or by other means. Therefore, persons in the "restricted area" who have undergone testing from January 6, 2022 to January 8, 2022, and are able to provide the SMS notification through mobile phone or related certification containing the test results, are not required to take the test again.

     The Government reiterates that enforcement actions will be taken seriously. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a test result or wear a wristband 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.

     Seizing the opportunity of the annual, cosmopolitan sports event to promote Hong Kong as a green, dynamic and healthy international city, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) was one of the main sponsors of the 2022 Run & Bike event held by non-profit sports organiser Binotan in Vilvoorde, Belgium on January 8 (Brussels time). The event was held in accordance with the COVID-19 protocol.

     Participants were members of the diplomatic community, the business sector and European and international institutions and their families. The 125 teams were each composed of one runner and one mountain biker, and the event comprised a competition of 8-kilometre or 16-kilometre, as well as family and children’s race.

     Participants and volunteers received Brand Hong Kong sports caps and goodie bags with publications showing Hong Kong's manifold attractions as a green and sports-friendly city.

     The Acting Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Mr Henry Tsoi, said Hong Kong possesses some of the world’s most spectacular hiking and mountain bike trails located in its beautiful country parks, which together with nature reserves make up 40 per cent of Hong Kong's territory. Mr Tsoi welcomed participants to visit Hong Kong, an international city which hosts a large number of major sports events throughout the year, after the COVID-19 pandemic.