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Entry requirement to Hong Kong from the US |
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Starting Aug 10, the entry requirements for inbound travelers arriving from the US have been simplified. Before boarding the flight, they are required to present a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test report, with their names identical to their respective travel documents, and administered within 72 hours of the flight's scheduled time of departure. They are also required to present documentary proof to show that the laboratory or healthcare institution is recognized/ approved/ ISO15189 accredited. Record of recognized laboratories in the US can be printed from the CMS’s database. A relevant letter issued by the New York State Department of Health for reference can be found here. The travelers are also required to show confirmation that they have booked a hotel for 14-day quarantine upon arrival. Currently, only Hong Kong residents are permitted to enter the city. The relevant specifications will remain effective until further notice.
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Universal COVID-19 testing set |
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Hong Kong will introduce a free COVID-19 testing program to all Hong Kong citizens on a voluntary basis. Scheduled to be launched in two weeks, the universal testing program aims to identify infected persons early, particularly those who are asymptomatic. The testing services providers will only have access to the barcode of the specimen bottle for reporting the test result to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. All the personal data for individual members of the public will be encrypted and stored in the servers of the government's data centers and will not be transferred out of Hong Kong. The collection and use of any personal data for the purpose of above-mentioned testing shall comply with the provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486).
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Social distancing measures extended |
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Noting that there was considerable high risk of a COVID-19 community outbreak, Hong Kong will extend existing social distancing measures till Aug 18. Restaurants, except those granted exemptions, must cease to provide dine-in services from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day. They may offer takeaway services and deliveries during the period. The number of customers at catering premises at any one time must not exceed 50% of the normal seating capacity. Each table can accommodate no more than two customers and tables must be arranged with a distance of at least 1.5 metres apart or with partitions. Bars, pubs and 13 types of scheduled premises will also remain closed. The prohibition on group gatherings of more than two people as well as the existing mask-wearing requirement in public places will continue to be in effect. The HKSAR Government strongly urged the public to stay at home as much as possible and avoid unnecessary social activities to reduce community transmission of the virus.
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28 million masks distributed to the public |
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The HKSAR Government has distributed (Aug 7) about 28 million disposable adult masks to about 2.8 million residential addresses in Hong Kong in the past month, with each household receiving 10 masks. The masks distributed are the first batch procured by the Government under the Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme, reflecting the Government’s aim to share these masks with the public as part of city's collective fight against the virus.
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ADMINISTRATION & CIVIC AFFAIRS |
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New sanctions will not benefit US |
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Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau said (Aug 8) the US Government’s latest sanctions on Hong Kong would negatively affect US interests in the city. He made the statement at a media session after attending a radio program. “Looking at the wider interest between Hong Kong and the US, such imposition of unreasonable measures would send a very wrong signal to the US investment in Hong Kong,” he said.
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Program to boost fintech development |
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Invest Hong Kong unveiled (Aug 10) the Global Fast Track Programme to help local and global fintech enterprises leverage Hong Kong’s proven resilience and fintech opportunities to scale business and accelerate innovation. It plugs fintech enterprises directly into the city’s diverse ecosystem of world-class regulators, business leaders, corporates and investors to propel their ventures across Hong Kong and elsewhere in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Asia where digitization and fintech adoption are surging. Companies from nine fintech verticals (trade finance, capital markets, retail banking, commercial banking, insurance, regtech, wealthtech, payments and enterprise resource planning) are invited to submit applications from now till Aug 31. About 10 companies per vertical with the most outstanding ideas will showcase their solutions for an opportunity to join an extensive tailored B2B matchmaking program. Over 10 selected finalists will then pitch virtually at the FintechHK Global Final for extra prizes at this year’s Hong Kong Fintech Week (Nov 2-6).
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Hong Kong’s foreign currency reserve assets amounted to US$450 billion as at the end of July 2020, compared with US$445.9 billion at end-June 2020. The total foreign currency reserve assets represent over six times the currency in circulation or about 46 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3.
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Hong Kong and its Basic Law |
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The Basic Law is the constitutional document of the HKSAR. Put into effect on July 1, 1997, it enshrines within a legal document the important concept of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Q: Are Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy?
A: In accordance with the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, the National People’s Congress enacted the Basic Law, authorizing the HKSAR to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy executive, legislative and independent judicial powers, including that of final adjudication, in accordance with the Basic Law. The Central People’s Government (CPG) shall be responsible for the foreign affairs and defense relating to the HKSAR and other matters authorized by the Basic Law. It also authorizes the HKSAR to conduct relevant external affairs on its own in accordance with the Basic Law. We are not required to pay taxes to the CPG. (BL Articles 2; 12-17; 19; 22; 106)
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