The third quarter 2021 issue of "Quarterly Supplement to Statistical Digest of the Services Sector" is published by the Census and Statistics Department today (December 30). The publication provides up-to-date qu… 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
​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 14 specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.
In view of a preliminary positive imported case who had stayed in Hong Kong during the incubation period, five specified premises are included in the compulsory testing notice. Also, in relation to a previous imported case who had stayed in Hong Kong during the incubation period, any person who had been present at nine specified premises during the specified period has to undergo additional testing. 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.
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.
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 before the fifth wave strikes in Hong Kong.
Details of the compulsory testing notice are in Annex 1.
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). For prudence’s sake, the above compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.
In accordance with the compulsory testing notice issued earlier, 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 (December 29), there were around 32 000 booking places available for tomorrow (December 30) at the CTCs, and around 92 per cent availability for booking places for the coming seven days. 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 will set up or re-open mobile specimen collection stations at the following locations tomorrow for residents and workers subject to compulsory testing:
The Chief Secretary for Administration (CS), Mr John Lee, today (December 29) officiated at the launch ceremony of the celebrations for the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, saying that the Government will organise a full range of diversified celebratory events.
The theme for celebration of the 25th anniversary is “A New Era – Stability • Prosperity • Opportunity”. It not only represents Hong Kong’s exemplary achievements over the past 25 years, but also underscores the eager anticipation for and confidence in a brighter future.
Mr Lee, who chairs the Steering Committee overseeing the 25th Anniversary preparations, said that with the staunch support from the Central Government, Hong Kong has successfully implemented “one country, two systems” over the past 25 years while sustaining its role as an international metropolis.
Although Hong Kong has faced adversity, with safeguards of the National Security Law, improvements to the electoral system as well as implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, the city has transformed from chaos to stability and looks forward to even more prosperity.
Mr Lee pointed out that under the national development of the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a brighter future will be created for Hong Kong as people work together and grasp the new opportunities ahead.
Mr Lee added that the Government has planned over 100 events and will continue its efforts on this front, with a view to allowing wide participation by the community in the 25th Anniversary celebrations.
Efforts will be made to reach out to the elderly and underprivileged families. External promotion will also be enhanced to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international city.
The extensive line-up of signature events to be held next year was unveiled at today’s ceremony, along with a preview video.
Among the celebration events, a number of large-scale exhibitions will be staged to showcase precious cultural relics from the Dunhuang Caves, invaluable dinosaur fossils and a treasured collection of masterpieces by Italian Baroque painters from the National Museum of Capodimonte. These will supplement the opening exhibitions of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which are sure to draw big crowds.
Apart from major exhibitions, the Government will organise a series of arts and cultural events, including the Grand Parade by disciplined services and youth groups, the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, FARMFEST, the flower show featuring Calibrachoa as the theme flower, an exhibition at the harbourfront with installations combining elements of science and art, and concerts. Along with “Celebrations for All”, a district visit programme, and mega sporting events such as the Hong Kong Cyclothon and Hong Kong Games will allow celebrations to be enjoyed by all.
Riding on this opportunity, a number of international forums, conferences and symposiums will be held, including the Symposium on the 3rd Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area, the Basic Law Legal Summit, the Legal Forum on National Security Law, the Asian Financial Forum, the Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum, the Global I&T Summit and the International Society for the Performing Arts Congress.
The Government’s offices overseas and in the Mainland will step up their outreach work and stage exciting activities in major cities, including a large-scale exhibition in Beijing in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the Motherland.
The catchy melody of the 25th Anniversary theme song produced by Radio Television Hong Kong was premiered with a live performance by composer Alan Cheung at the ceremony. Musician Keith Chan, who takes charge of planning the song, also shared his creative ideas through a video.
The ceremony was also attended by singers Gin Lee and Chantel Yiu, soprano Michelle Siu and fencer Cheung Siu-lun, who will join and sing the theme song.
The official logo and an artistic icon designed for the 25th anniversary celebrations were also unveiled. The icon uses burgundy as the background colour to highlight the prosperous backdrop of the Motherland, giving the HKSAR solid support. The numeral “25” in a silky ribbon form in gold colour brings out the festive tone, and is embedded with the Golden Bauhinia statue graphic which implies stability and close bonding with the Motherland.
A dedicated website for the 25th anniversary has been launched. Members of the public can find details of celebration activities and the latest updates at www.hksar25.gov.hk.
Mr Lee appealed to all sectors of the community to fully support and participate in the celebration events and programmes. He paid special tribute to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for reserving HK$630 million to sponsor a number of celebration programmes covering arts and culture, sports, caring for the community and green living.
The Government has introduced an accreditation scheme for community-organised events, welcoming the commercial sector, professional groups and community organisations to organise different activities to bring celebratory ambience around town. Accredited activities organised by community groups and organisations in support of the 25th anniversary will be included in the official Events Calendar, which will be uploaded to the dedicated website for wider publicity.
Organisations or persons interested in seeking accreditation for their events can submit applications to the 25th anniversary Project Planning Office by email to 25Aevents@hab.gov.hk.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Joe Wong; the Director of the Project Planning Office, Mr Eddie Mak; the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Patrick Li and the Acting Director of Information Services, Ms Grace Ng, also officiated at the launch ceremony.
The Government announced today (December 29) that in view of the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Kazakhstan and Myanmar will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on January 1, 2022… read more