image_pdfimage_print

Author Archives: hksar gov

OGCIO explains access right issues on “LeaveHomeSafe” COVID-19 exposure notification mobile app

     The “LeaveHomeSafe” COVID-19 exposure notification mobile app was officially launched today (November 16). With regard to some media reports on the access rights of the mobile app, including access to photos and media, files and storage space, modification or deletion of content, and access to Wi-Fi network and network permissions, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) gave the following response:

     The “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app assists the public in recording the date and time for checking into and leaving different venues by scanning the venue QR code or the registration mark located at the inside of the taxi door. The app requires the camera function of the mobile phone to scan the venue QR code and the taxi registration mark. After scanning, relevant check-in data, including the venue name and address, taxi registration mark, date, arrival and departure time, will all be stored in the storage space of the mobile phone. The app therefore requires permission to access the camera and storage space of the mobile phone.

     In addition, cloud-based Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology is used to enable scanning of the taxi registration mark. Text images captured by the camera will be converted to text files for storage. The mobile app will then delete relevant images instantly and user’s check-in data will also be erased automatically after 31 days. The mobile app thus requires access permissions to mobile network, Wi-Fi network (to conserve data usage), media and files in order to protect user’s privacy.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has been releasing information on premises visited by COVID-19 confirmed cases in the form of open data. The “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app needs to run in the background, and use the network function to download the data from CHP for comparing with user’s venue check-in data regularly in the mobile phone, in order to notify any user who has visited the same venue as the COVID-19 confirmed case at around the same time automatically. Hence, the mobile app requires network access, Wi-Fi access and relevant permissions in allowing the app to run in the background and send notifications when needed. Moreover, the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app would perform checking (with access permission to the “retrieve running apps” under “device & app history”) in order to ensure previous task of data download has been completed, and retrieval of the correct version of data. 

     The spokesman for the OGCIO stressed that the Government understands public concerns over privacy, and therefore uphold the principle of protecting personal data privacy when designing the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app. The program designs of the app on Android and iOS are the same. The app only needs the least amount of access permissions to enable smooth operation and it has also passed relevant code reviews of Google and Apple. The spokesman reiterated that the Government recognises public concerns over the access permissions that the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app uses and will continue to explain to the public in this regard, and also invite more members of the public to use the app so as to minimise the risk of virus transmission. read more

SCED: Hong Kong keenly interested in joining RCEP (with photos)

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, tonight (November 16) said the signing and launching of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is an important milestone for economic integration in the region that sends a strong and clear message in support of an open, inclusive and rules-based trade and investment arrangement, and expressed Hong Kong’s strong interest in joining the Partnership.

     With the high-standard Free Trade Agreements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia and New Zealand already in place on top of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, Hong Kong is keenly interested in joining the RCEP and stands ready to start dialogues on accession with its member economies when the time is ripe for the RCEP to take on new partners, Mr Yau said at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting tonight.

     At the virtual meeting, participating ministers shared their views on various key issues related to global trade and regional economic integration, including support for the multilateral trading system (MTS) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, and efforts to promote the development of the digital economy.

     Speaking at the session on improving the narrative of trade and investment, Mr Yau said that the economic turmoil brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the steep increase in the number of protectionist measures recently had dampened global trade flows and investment sentiment, weakening the collective strength in withstanding the current economic recession. He called on member economies to redouble their efforts to contain the escalating trade conflicts through engagement and constructive dialogues.

     He also highlighted the importance of the rules-based MTS amid the pandemic, with the WTO as its core, in maintaining stability for international trade and bringing back economic growth. He said one of the most urgent tasks is to restore a fully functioning MTS through constructively helping the WTO to reform and improve but without grinding its functions to a halt. Hong Kong is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with all APEC member economies in supporting the WTO as the city has always done throughout the years.

     Mr Yau said that APEC member economies should work together to chart the path to post-pandemic recovery in the region. He cited the establishment of the Air Travel Bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore as an example, pointing out that the arrangement could help resume cross-border people-to-people flow between the two places in a safe and progressive manner.

     He said that Hong Kong would continue its dialogue with other APEC member economies with a view to expanding with full health precautions, its air travel bubble network across the region, adding that doing so would open up a lot of business opportunities in public health, testing and services in support of the new form of trading in the post-pandemic era.
  
     Mr Yau will also address the session on inclusivity, the digital economy and innovative sustainability. Hong Kong has been championing the use of online dispute resolution in fostering the participation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in international trade, which can help resolve cross-border business-to-business disputes, especially when face-to-face contacts are disrupted during the pandemic.

Photo  Photo  
read more

CE asks departments to take follow-up actions in aftermath of Yau Ma Tei fatal fire incident (with photos)

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, together with the Director of Fire Services, Mr Joseph Leung; the Director of Buildings, Mr Yu Tak-cheung; and the District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong), Mr Edward Yu, this morning (November 16) inspected the scene of the fatal fire incident on Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei, last night. Mrs Lam instructed relevant departments to take follow-up actions.

     The fire incident last night has caused seven deaths so far. Ten people are still hospitalised, with seven in critical condition and one in serious condition.

     “I am deeply saddened by the heavy casualties and loss of lives caused by the fire. I extend my deepest condolences to the injured and the families of the deceased. The Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Home Affairs Department (HAD) will render all necessary assistance to them,” Mrs Lam said.

     The Yau Tsim Mong District Office set up two inter-departmental help desks at Kwong Wah Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital last night and opened the Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre to serve as a temporary shelter. The relevant organisation was requested to open the Yau Tsim Mong Multicultural Activity Centre to provide assistance and temporary accommodation for residents in need. Ethnic minority representatives and social workers were also arranged to attend the scene immediately to comfort and provide support and assistance to families of the victims. As the deceased and injured are ethnic minorities, the HAD will learn about their needs through organisations dedicated to providing support services for ethnic minorities, and will arrange appropriate counselling services. The Yau Tsim Mong District Office will provide assistance to families of the deceased and injured in their applications for the Emergency Relief Fund or the Special Aid Fund, as well as liaise on behalf of them with various assistance funds operated by other charitable organisations.

     Medical social workers of the SWD at related hospitals have proactively contacted family members of the deceased and the injured last night to render emotional support and other necessary assistance. Caseworkers of the concerned Integrated Family Service Centre of the district will also reach out to the affected residents to provide necessary welfare services and assistance.

     The unit in which the fire broke out is located at an older single staircase residential building. According to the records of the Fire Services Department (FSD), the unit is not a licensed restaurant or other licensed premises. The FSD has already set up a dedicated investigation team to probe the cause of the fire and the related severe casualties. The Buildings Department (BD) will work with the dedicated investigation team. It has confirmed, after an inspection, that the overall structure of the building is safe.

     “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to fire safety in buildings, in particular those aged buildings with fire safety facilities not up to the current standard. We hope to enhance fire safety in buildings and improve the living environment of residents through urban renewal and building rehabilitation. At the same time, the FSD and the BD will inspect old buildings to request property owners or occupants to rectify irregularities, providing necessary assistance in the process,” Mrs Lam said.

     “In light of the risks exposed by this fire accident, I have asked the FSD and the BD to further step up inspections to eliminate serious fire safety threats to safeguard people’s lives and property,” she added.

     The FSD and the BD will embark on a special exercise with a target to complete the inspection of some 2 500 domestic or composite buildings (excluding those occupied by single families) that are of comparable age (namely, aged 60 or above) by the end of this year. They will pay special attention to the condition of the buildings’ common means of escapes and if there are fire hazards. The FSD and BD will, depending on the inspection findings as well as information and evidence gathered, take appropriate enforcement actions according to the relevant legislation against contraventions as soon as practicable. These include instigating prosecution against offenders to safeguard fire and building safety. In addition, the FSD will take the initiative to reach out to local ethnic minorities and relevant groups to learn more about their gathering places where religious and cultural activities are held. The FSD will conduct fire safety inspections in these places and enhance these people’s knowledge on fire safety, such as fire prevention and actions to be taken in the event of a fire.

Photo  Photo  Photo  
read more

CFS urges public not to consume a batch of chilled beef from Italy with possible presence of drug residue

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 16) urged the public not to consume a batch of chilled beef imported from Italy because the product was found to contain a drug residue, dexamethasone. The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Fassona Beef Carpaccio 750g
Place of origin: Italy
Importer: Longino & Cardenal Ltd 
Batch:  22423
Production date: October 20, 2020
Use-by date: November 19, 2020

     A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product was found with a drug residue dexamethasone and is being recalled. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the affected product has been imported into Hong Kong. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned for follow-up.”

     Preliminary investigation found that importer Longino & Cardenal Ltd had imported some of the affected product into Hong Kong. The importer has initiated a recall according to the CFS’ instructions. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the hotline at 2786 1238 during office hours.

     “Dexamethasone is a kind of veterinary drug. Animal studies showed that long-term excessive dietary exposure may cause reproductive problem. Based on the level of dexamethasone detected in the samples, it is unlikely to have adverse health effects under usual consumption.” the spokesman said.

     The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected batch of the product if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

     The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more