â€‹In view of the latest COVID-19 situation, the Labour Department announced today (January 7) that the occupational health public talks entitled "Work and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases" and "First Aid in the Workplace" at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library scheduled for January 13 and January 20 respectively have been cancelled. Enrolled participants will be informed of the cancellations individually.

     The Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang, said today (January 7), "I visited a restaurant in Wan Chai for a short time in the evening of January 3 and left immediately after congratulating my friend without having a meal sitting down."

     He added, "This is currently a time for the whole community to fight the virus together. All departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and members of the public are working together to fight the epidemic, riding out difficult times. Regarding the additional burden to the epidemic prevention work and the disturbance to the public as a result of my personal behaviour, I offer my sincere apology to all people of Hong Kong. I have reflected on this incident and shall be more vigilant in future. I will be sure to fully co-operate with the arrangements made by the Centre for Health Protection and undergo quarantine at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre."

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 7) that in view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the live-streaming programme "Cheers!" Series: "Techno Circus" scheduled for January 15 and 16 at the Studio Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre has been cancelled.

     Details of the refund arrangements will be announced in due course. Ticket holders are advised to keep their original intact tickets (with stubs) for refunds, and check the latest announcements at the programme website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1257.html).  

     For enquiries, please call 2268 7323 during office hours, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CP.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (January 7) announced that three Elderly Health Centres (EHCs) will expand their COVID-19 vaccination service to provide walk-in vaccination with the CoronaVac vaccine for all persons aged 65 or above next Monday (January 10), in order to encourage and facilitate the elderly in receiving COVID-19 vaccination.  
 
     From January 10 to June 30, three EHCs (Lam Tin EHC, Sai Ying Pun EHC and Tseung Kwan O EHC) will provide COVID-19 vaccination walk-in services (no prior booking is required) to all elderly persons aged 65 or above in the following time slots:
 
Monday to Friday: 9am to 12.15pm and 2pm to 4.45pm (except public holidays).
 
     The above three EHCs will also provide health talks on COVID-19 vaccination at 11.15am and 3.15pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

     Meanwhile, all the 18 EHCs are currently providing COVID-19 vaccination walk-in services for their members aged 65 or above without prior booking in the following time slots:
 
Monday to Friday: 11am to noon and 3.30pm to 4.30pm (except public holidays).
 
     The elderly persons need to present their Hong Kong identity cards for registration on a first-come, first-served basis until the daily quota is full.
 
     "The COVID-19 vaccination rate for the elderly aged 80 or above in Hong Kong is only around 23 per cent at present. The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. Under the spreading threat posed by mutant strains, people who are yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected," a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     The Government has expanded the third dose COVID-19 vaccination programme since January 1 this year to include all people who have received two doses of vaccines for a period of time. Eligible elderly persons should also receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to enhance personal protection.
 
     The spokesman reminded members of the public that they should take note of a minimum interval of 14 days between COVID-19 vaccination and any other vaccination (including seasonal influenza vaccination).

　　For enquiries, please contact the EHCs concerned during service hours. Details are also available at www.elderly.gov.hk/eindex.html.

  

     The Government announced today (January 7) the results of Phase 1 of the Mental Health Initiatives Funding Scheme. A total of about $100 million has been granted to 70 projects to enhance mental well-being of citizens in the community through various services and programmes. The approved projects will commence during February to April this year for a duration of nine to 24 months.
      
     The Chief Executive announced in the 2020 Policy Address that $300 million would be earmarked under the Beat Drugs Fund to raise public awareness of mental health and provide better support to the needy in the community.
      
     The Advisory Committee on Mental Health is responsible for co-ordinating the Funding Scheme and its Project Assessment Panel assesses the applications and makes recommendations for approval by the Advisory Committee. A total of 117 applications were received in Phase 1 of the Funding Scheme. Approved projects will enhance mental well-being of citizens in various areas, including training lay leaders in the community, strengthening carer support and providing information technology support for the elderly to enhance their connection with family members and friends.
      
     The Funding Scheme is implemented by two phases. Details about Phase 2 of the Funding Scheme will be announced in the second half of this year.
         
     The list of approved projects under Phase 1 of the Funding Scheme is set out on the webpage of the Food and Health Bureau: www.fhb.gov.hk/en/fund/210700_mhifs/approved_projects.html.