The Government announced today (February 13) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Drainage Services Department in collaboration with the cross-disciplinary team of the University of Hong Kong had strengthened the sampling of sewage for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in many areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results in Islands, Sha Tin, Sham Shui Po and Kwai Tsing Districts, the Home Affairs Department (including Islands, Sha Tin, Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po District Offices) will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to residents and all cleansing workers and property management staff working in the following areas (see Annex) starting from tomorrow (February 14) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identifying infected persons –
 

• Sewage Testing Area Tung Chung Yat Tung Estate Site 04 (YTE-04) – Ching Yat House, Hong Yat House and Yung Yat House of Yat Tung (I) Estate
• Sewage Testing Area Sha Tin Site 10A (Sha Tin Site 10A) – Pok Chi House, Pok Yat House and Pok Tai House of Pok Hong Estate
• Sewage Testing Area Sham Shui Po Site 2-4 (Sham Shui Po Site 2-4) – Lai Chi Kok Bay Garden
• Sewage Testing Area Sham Shui Po Site 2-5 (Sham Shui Po Site 2-5) (Part) – Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre Staff Quarters
   

     Members of the public may refer to (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk) for enquiries relating to the use of the rapid test kits.
 
     When positive result (including vaguely positive with a faint band showing on the test kit) is obtained, one should immediately seek medical attention for follow up management. Residents tested positive should stay home as far as possible to avoid spreading the virus in the community. The Government stresses that rapid test kit testing is not a substitute for the compulsory testing requirement. Individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, who have visited places with epidemic outbreaks or have had contact with persons tested positive, etc., should undergo testing promptly at testing centres.

     â€‹A spokesman for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced today (February 10) that as there is a significant number of passengers currently at the departure hall of Shenzhen Bay Control Point, members of the public should consider adjusting their travel plans so as to prevent crowd gathering.

     Meanwhile, all passengers who are entering Shenzhen would be required to present a valid proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result issued within 24 hours by one of the testing institutions recognised by Governments of Hong Kong and Guangdong; as well as a hotel reservation confirmation for the 14-day period of centralised quarantine and medical surveillance after their entry into Shenzhen through the Shenzhen Municipal Government quarantine hotel online reservation system, otherwise they will not be allowed to enter Shenzhen.

     The Government of HKSAR urged that the passengers not fulfilling the above mentioned requirements should not go to Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

     The Land Registry today (February 7) released its statistics for January 2022.
 
Land registration
———————-
* The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in January was 5,911 (-16.5 per cent compared with December 2021 and -4.8 per cent compared with January 2021)

* The 12-month moving average for January was 7,986 (0.3 per cent below the 12-month moving average for December 2021 but 26.5 per cent above that for January 2021)

* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in January was $54.4 billion (-38.0 per cent compared with December 2021 and -18.6 per cent compared with January 2021)

* Among the sale and purchase agreements, 4,275 were for residential units (-16.9 per cent compared with December 2021 and -6.3 per cent compared with January 2021)

* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $43.4 billion (-10.5 per cent compared with December 2021 but +9.3 per cent compared with January 2021)

     Statistics on sales of residential units do not include sale and purchase agreements relating to sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme, the Tenants Purchase Scheme, etc, unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.

     Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales have also been released.

     As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
 
Land search
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* The number of searches of land registers made by the public in January was 429,213 (-1.6 per cent compared with December 2021 and -3.8 per cent compared with January 2021)

     The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.

     The Land Registry today (February 7) released its statistics for January 2022.
 
Land registration
———————-
* The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in January was 5,911 (-16.5 per cent compared with December 2021 and -4.8 per cent compared with January 2021)

* The 12-month moving average for January was 7,986 (0.3 per cent below the 12-month moving average for December 2021 but 26.5 per cent above that for January 2021)

* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in January was $54.4 billion (-38.0 per cent compared with December 2021 and -18.6 per cent compared with January 2021)

* Among the sale and purchase agreements, 4,275 were for residential units (-16.9 per cent compared with December 2021 and -6.3 per cent compared with January 2021)

* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $43.4 billion (-10.5 per cent compared with December 2021 but +9.3 per cent compared with January 2021)

     Statistics on sales of residential units do not include sale and purchase agreements relating to sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme, the Tenants Purchase Scheme, etc, unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.

     Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales have also been released.

     As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
 
Land search
—————-                                                           
 
* The number of searches of land registers made by the public in January was 429,213 (-1.6 per cent compared with December 2021 and -3.8 per cent compared with January 2021)

     The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (January 27) that since the epidemic situation is still severe, all kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools (including schools offering non-local curriculum) and private schools offering non-formal curriculum (commonly known as "tutorial schools") will extend the existing arrangements on suspension of face-to-face classes and on-campus activities until February 21.

     The spokesman said, "During the period of face-to-face class suspension, schools will flexibly deploy various teaching modes to sustain students' learning at home. Schools should remain open, strictly put in place various anti-epidemic measures as stipulated in the 'Health Protection Measures for Schools' issued by the EDB and the 'Health Advice to Schools for the Prevention of COVID-19' issued by the Centre for Health Protection, and look after students who lack carers to take care of them at home. Schools will arrange for staff to be on duty to handle school affairs and answer parents' enquiries."

     He continued, "Schools should continue to maintain communication with parents and students to show care for the learning and emotional needs of the students, and render appropriate assistance to parents. Schools should also remind parents to follow anti-epidemic measures and pay close attention to the health conditions of their children. Parents should avoid taking their children to crowded places with poor ventilation."

     The spokesman added, "In view of the implementation of 'vaccine pass' arrangements at schools on February 24, we strongly urge unvaccinated school staff, persons providing on-campus services, parents and visitors to get vaccinated as soon as possible, otherwise they will not be allowed to enter the school premises. Eligible students should also get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves and their family members, and construct a more effective protective barrier for both schools and the community."

     The EDB will closely monitor the situation and move in step with the development of the overall anti-epidemic measures in Hong Kong, continuously review the class arrangements and keep schools informed in a timely manner.