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The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 5,231 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,315 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,916 via rapid antigen tests.   Separately, 156 imported cases were found and 12 more patients passed away.   Six residential care homes for the elderly and disabled people logged eight virus cases involving their residents.   There were also 552 positive cases, involving 471 students and 81 staff, filed by 391 schools.   In view of the stabilising local epidemic situation, the centre said it will adjust its risk communication strategy. It announced that from September 25, the press briefing on updates of COVID-19 cases will be suspended.   ​The Hospital Authority announced that it will resume services, including the Saturday and evening clinic services, of four general out-patient clinics from tomorrow.   The authority's eight designated clinics for COVID-19 confirmed cases and tele-consultations

The Government today completed enforcement operations at Block 6 of Hanford Garden in Tuen Mun and Goldwin Heights at 2 Seymour Road in Mid-Levels, which were earlier included in compulsory testing notices.   The Civil Service Bureau conducted the Tuen Mun enforcement action from around 8.30am to 11.30am, while the Central & Western District Office carried out the Mid-Levels operation from around 8am to 11am.   Both actions were conducted together with Police and the Department of Health.   The Government arranged for staff to verify the testing certifications of people subject to compulsory testing at the buildings’ entrances and exits.   During the operations, the test records of about 200 people in Block 6 of Hanford Garden and about 430 people in Goldwin Heights were checked.   As a result, seven people in total were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice and were issued with a compulsory testing order.    A fixed penalty notice of $10,000 was also iss

The Government today announced the Chief Executive’s appointment of members of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee (CERC) commencing on September 19.   The Chief Executive appointed Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki as CERC Chairperson and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak as its official member pursuant to section 9A of the Chief Executive Election Ordinance.   Financial Secretary Paul Chan ceases to be Committee Chairperson when the new appointment takes effect.   Pursuant to section 9A(2) of the ordinance, the CERC is to consist of the chairperson, at least two but not more than four official members, and at least one but not more than three non-official members.   Section 9A(4) of the ordinance further stipulates that only a principal official appointed pursuant to a nomination under Article 48(5) of the Basic Law is eligible for appointment as the chairperson or an official member.   The appointment notice has been gazetted and reported to the Central Pe

The Government today completed a joint enforcement operation at King Fung House of King Shan Court in Wong Tai Sin, which was earlier included in a compulsory testing notice.   The enforcement action was conducted from around 8am to 11am by the Education Bureau together with Police and the Department of Health.   Having checked 206 people’s test records, it was discovered that six people failed to comply with the notice and they were issued with a compulsory testing order.   A fixed penalty notice of $10,000 was also issued to three of them. http://dlvr.it/SYXBCf

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart Hong Kong tomorrow for Cambodia to attend an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers meeting scheduled for September 17.   At the Sixth ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation meeting, Mr Yau and participating economic ministers of ASEAN member states (AMS) will discuss the progress of the free trade agreement’s implementation.   There will also be discussions on the related investment agreement between ASEAN and Hong Kong.   On the meeting’s sidelines, Mr Yau will hold bilateral meetings with various AMS economic ministers to exchange views on regional co-operation and issues of mutual interest.   The commerce chief will also attend a luncheon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and visit Hong Kong enterprises in Cambodia.        Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on the evening of September 18. D

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)   Chief Executive John Lee said today that the suggestion of implementing reverse quarantine for entering Shenzhen aims to create a system that will continue to operate regardless of the pandemic situation on either side of the boundary.   Speaking to reporters ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mr Lee said he hopes to create a system that can continue to operate without big changes in the long run.   “The standards, of course, will have to be endorsed by the Shenzhen authorities because they are the authorities who will be exempting the "7+3" quarantine requirement after a person has fulfilled their reverse quarantine requirements in Hong Kong.   “I am aiming at creating a system which will continue to operate, however the situation develops on either side of the boundary, and we are working hard towards that goal.”   Regarding the recent local COVID-19 situation, Mr