The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 2) welcomed and expressed gratitude for the country's recruitment of payload specialists for the first time in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in the launch of the recruitment of the fourth batch of astronauts. He described the move as uplifting and exciting with great historical significance.
      
     "This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. This gift by the country to the HKSAR at this joyful moment not only doubled the happiness when Hong Kong people are celebrating the National Day but also fully reflected the country's care, support and trust to Hong Kong," Mr Lee said.
      
     "The China Manned Space Agency's recruitment of payload specialists in the HKSAR provides an opportunity for Hong Kong people to realise their space aspiration and contribute to the country. The HKSAR Government will render its full assistance and co-operation to the country's selection exercise.
      
     "The recruitment exercise in Hong Kong signifies that the country encourages and welcomes Hong Kong compatriots to contribute to the country's development. It also demonstrates the country's confidence in Hong Kong's level in scientific research and development as well as her care for the development of Hong Kong's young people.
      
     "This recruitment is also an educational opportunity for all to better understand our country. The HKSAR Government encourages students and various sectors of Hong Kong to take this opportunity to understand more about the remarkable achievements of the national manned space programme and boost their sense of national identity," Mr Lee said.
      
     Mr Lee has designated the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, to take charge of cross-bureau co-ordination as well as publicity and education, and the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, to take charge of the selection exercise.

     â€‹In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Kwai Tsing, Wong Tai Sin and Tsuen Wan Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (September 20) that the Kwai Tsing District Office (K&TDO), the Wong Tai Sin District Office (WTSDO) and the Tsuen Wan District Office (TWDO) have distributed a total of about 214 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The K&TDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Highland Park, Cho Yiu Chuen, Yuet Lai Court, Yin Lai Court, Ha Kwai Chung Village, Horizon Place, Hibiscus Park and Kwai Chung Centre for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the owners' corporations.
                                                                                    
     The WTSDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Ngau Chi Wan Village, 14-16 Kam Chi Path (even numbers), 21-23 Kam Chi Path (odd numbers), 22-24 Kam Chi Path (even numbers), 29-31 Kam Chi Path (odd numbers), Lung Chi Path, Tin Wang Court, Tin Ma Court, Tsui Chuk Garden and Chuk Yuen United Village for voluntary testing through the property management companies, the Ngau Chi Wan Village Office and the Village Representative. The WTSDO also arranged to distribute rapid test kits to households living in Choi Hung Villa and Man Tak House.
      
     In addition, the TWDO commenced distributing rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Villa Alfavista, Seascape Villa, Royal Sea Crest, Anglers' Bay, Hong Kong Garden Yale Villa, Lung Tang Court, Fou Wah Centre, Tsuen Fung Centre, Waldorf Centre, Fairview Garden, Luk Yeung Sun Chuen, the Cliveden and the Cairnhill for voluntary testing through the property management companies. The TWDO also commenced distributing rapid test kits to households living in Yuen Tun Village, Pai Min Kok Village, Tsing Lung Tau New Village and Kwong Pan Tin Tsuen for voluntary testing through the village heads, a non-governmental organisation and a local organisation.

     The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.

     Members of the public may refer to the demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) via www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk to learn how to use the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.

     Persons testing positive through an RAT should take a photo of the test result and declare the result within 24 hours via the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If members of the public encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The CHP under the DH will contact the relevant person later to complete the report procedure. There is no need to declare negative test results.

     The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19.
      

     The Government announced today (September 5) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
      
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 260 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
                                  

• Sha Tin District – Sha Tin Tau Village, Sha Tin Tau New Village, Tin Sam Village, Hin Tin Village, Sheung Keng Hau, Ha Keng Hau, La Costa, Oceanaire, Ocean View, Saddle Ridge Garden, Kam Lung Court, Villa Athena, Ravana Garden, Pictorial Garden Phase 1 – 3 and Garden Vista
• Southern District – Chi Fu Fa Yuen, Chi Fu Fa Yuen – Yar Chee Villas and Larvotto
• Tuen Mun District – Shan King Estate, Yeung Siu Hang Tsuen, Century Gateway, Villa Tiara, Leung Tin Village, San Hui Village and T Plus
• Yau Tsim Mong District – Residential premises around Nullah Road and Fa Yuen Street (See Annex)

 
     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.
 
     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
 
     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.