Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (November 16) that it will continue to arrange voluntary free COVID-19 testing services for targeted groups. In view of the detection of the virus on packaging materials of frozen commodities in the Mainland and other places in recent days, the FEHD is extending the testing services to cover practitioners of cold stores to safeguard public health. Registration is not required and the testing agency (Prenetics Limited) will contact the operators of all licensed cold stores as soon as possible to arrange testing services for their staff starting from November 18.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, “To broaden surveillance at the community level, and incorporate disease prevention and infection control into the new normal of the daily operation of society, the Government will integrate and regularise the Targeted Group Testing Scheme (TGTS) as part of its sentinel surveillance. The TGTS will become part of the surveillance and early-warning system. By facilitating contact tracing and epidemiological investigations, it will be conducive to ‘early identification, early isolation and early treatment’, and can provide reference data for the overall assessment of the epidemic situation.”

     The FEHD currently has been arranging testing every week for those working in the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse, and will continue to provide voluntary free virus testing services for high-exposure groups, including catering premises staff (licensed general restaurants, licensed light refreshment restaurants, licensed marine restaurants, licensed factory canteens, school canteens, staff canteens, bars and pubs), staff and personnel working in FEHD markets, hawker licensees and registered assistants.

     Under the scheme, the testing agency will be responsible for the provision of one-stop services covering specimen taking and testing. The testing agency will deliver specimen bottles to the premises for collecting deep throat saliva samples, and then collect the samples in the subsequent one to two days for testing. The person-in-charge of the premises should return all unused specimen bottles to the testing agency on the day of the sample collection. Cases with preliminary positive results will be relayed to the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for follow-up.

     The FEHD strongly appeals to the groups concerned to actively participate in the testing scheme, and continue to comply with the directions made under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), and to maintain personal and environmental hygiene continuously with a view to ensuring cleanliness of the premises and food safety.

     For details of the testing programme, please call the hotline of the testing agency at 3008 8319 or visit the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk).  read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:           As at 9am today (November 16), three COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. Including a patient (case n… read more

     Hongkong Post today (November 16) announced that six sets of special stamps will be issued from January to June 2021, offering an extraordinary collection of stamps encompassing themes on the arts from classical times to modern culture.
      
     The most anticipated issue must be the “Classical Novels of Chinese Literature – Romance of the Three Kingdoms” scheduled for March 16, 2021 (Tuesday). Eight popular scenes, including The Oath of the Peach Garden, A Notion of Heroes over Warm Wine, Escorting Sisters-in-law for a Thousand Mile, Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, Zhao Yun Saving the Young Lord, Empty Fort Stratagem, The Arrow through the Halberd and Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats have been specially selected to appear on a set of six stamps and two stamp sheetlets for the public’s enjoyment. This stamp issue is designed based on paintings of the renowned artist, Tung Pui-sun, with each stamp created with superb artistic value.
      
     To carry on the success of collaborating with the Hong Kong Museum of Art in the “Hong Kong Museums Collection” series last year, Hongkong Post is bringing forward the series with a new instalment, the “Hong Kong Museums Collection – 19th Century China Trade Paintings” on May 25, 2021 (Tuesday). It offers a set of six stamps and two stamp sheetlets designed to showcase people’s lives and customs as well as the landscapes of Guangzhou and Hong Kong, where merchants converged in the 19th Century.
      
     As usual, Hongkong Post will herald the Lunar New Year with special stamp issues themed on Chinese zodiac signs of the coming year. “Year of the Ox” and “Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Rat/Ox” will be issued on January 28, 2021 (Thursday), to bring joy to this festive season. The “Intangible Cultural Heritage – Dragon and Lion Dance” will follow on February 23, 2021 (Tuesday), presenting five intangible cultural heritage items of Hong Kong, namely the lion dance, pixiu dance, unicorn dance, dragon dance and fire dragon dance on special stamps and stamp sheetlets.
      
     In addition, Hongkong Post will issue special stamps on “Local Snacks in Hong Kong” and “Centenary of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong)” on April 22, 2021 (Thursday), and June 22, 2021 (Tuesday), respectively, to promote the local snack culture and to spread the message of love and care for animals.
      
     Information on stamp issues from July to December 2021 is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2021. Philatelists will have more time to appreciate stamp issues from the first half of the year before becoming immersed in the equally compelling issues in the latter half.
      
     Customers may place advance orders for the above new stamp products from 4pm today on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or the Facebook page “郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps” (www.facebook.com/HKPStamps). Customers who place orders by December 6, 2020 (Sunday), will receive attractive gifts and bonus points. Further information about ordering placements can be obtained from the Hongkong Post Stamps website or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.
      
     A video showcasing these special stamps has been uploaded to youtu.be/5wWI4OcOB-4. Hongkong Post will also share more news on the upcoming stamp issues on both Facebook page and Instagram account (www.instagram.com/hkpstamps). Please follow “郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps” to stay tuned to the latest philatelic news.     read more

     A man who went missing in Wan Chai has been located.      Yew Shing-fai, aged 84, went missing after he was last seen at Causeway Bay MTR Station on November 13 afternoon. His family made a repo… read more

     The annual Eco Expo Asia is taking place from today (November 16) to November 27 as an online exhibition this year. The Environment Bureau (ENB) continues to fully support the exhibition and has launched the virtual tour “Hong Kong‧GO Green” that enables members of the public to experience online the city’s latest community recycling network, waste management and recycling facilities as well as the application of various green technologies. It also aims to promote the reduction of both waste and carbon emissions.
 
     A spokesperson for the ENB said, “The Bureau spares no effort in enhancing its waste management facilities and system, expanding the recycling network in the community and exploring the application of green technologies proactively to encourage the public to embrace a green lifestyle. The ‘Hong Kong‧GO Green’ virtual tour will disseminate green messages through the showing of videos and slideshows as well as displaying online exhibits.” The “Hong Kong‧GO Green” virtual exhibition will be composed of three exhibition zones to introduce the latest community recycling network, waste reduction and recycling facilities, and the application of green high-technologies.
 
     The community recycling network zone highlights 22 new Recycling Stores, nine Recycling Stations and over 100 Recycling Spots across Hong Kong. The zone will also share information about the Community Smart Recycling Vehicle and the Reverse Vending Machine, which will be launched soon.
 
     The waste management and recycling facilities zone spotlights the four state-of-the-art facilities in Hong Kong that transform waste to resources and energy. They include the first organic resources recovery centre which handles food waste, namely O‧PARK1; the sludge treatment facility, T‧PARK; the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Treatment and Recycling Facility, WEEE·PARK, and the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1. These facilities signify Hong Kong’s dedication to implementing the sustainable use of resources through waste reduction strategy.
 
     The green high-tech zone will feature a wide variety of green technologies through an interactive approach, including a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) application to demonstrate the environmental outcome of an Environmental Impact Assessment project. Through a four-dimensional VR demonstration, participants will vividly experience how acoustic windows help reduce traffic noise while allowing natural ventilation. The zone will also introduce the Green Tech Fund, Floating Solar Power System, Solar Harvest, and the Countryside Conservation Office. These exhibits will illustrate how innovative green high-technologies are part of people’s daily lives.
 
     Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the ENB, this year’s Eco Expo Asia is a key feature of the HKTDC Autumn Sourcing Week. Members of the public are welcome to take the ENB’s virtual tour via the link: virtualbooth.hktdc.com/ASWO2020/ENB/ and browse other content of Eco Expo Asia to learn about the development of the environmental industry and green technologies.