HK bans all passenger flights from Indonesia

By Daisy CL Mandap 

HK imposed the ban after 6 Indonesian DHs arrived yesterday with the variant

Hong Kong tonight imposed a ban on all passenger flights from Indonesia, which will take effect from Friday, Jun 25.

A statement released by the government said that the ban was imposed after imported cases from Indonesia reached the threshold imposed by Hong Kong on all arriving passengers from abroad. found to carry a mutated strain of the coronavirus.

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The move elevated Indonesia to the Group A1 category, or the “extremely high risk” places to which six other countries are included: India, Pakistan, Nepal, South African, Brazil and the Philippines.

Under the place-specific flight suspension mechanism announced by Hong Kong on May 4, if a total of five or more passengers from the same place were confirmed by arrival tests for Covid-19 with any of the N501Y mutant strains within a seven-day period, the ban is triggered.

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A place-specific ban will also be imposed if a total of 10 or more passengers from the same country are confirmed to have the mutant strain by any tests, including during quarantine, within the same week-long period.

On Monday, six Indonesian domestic helpers aboard the Indonesian flag carrier, Garuda Airlines, were found positive for Covid-19 shortly after arriving in Hong Kong. 

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Four tested positive on arrival test, and were also found to carry the variant. The two others were found infected on the same day after being taken to Penny's Bay quarantine center. Staff at the Centre for Health Protection said earlier today confirmatory tests on the two were still being carried out.

The announcement today indicates at least one or both of the two remaining passengers were found to have the mutant strain.

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Garuda was also suspended from flying to Hong Kong for two weeks starting from today in line with flight-specific restrictions which is triggered when at least three passengers from any flight test positive for Covid-19 on arrival.

Earlier today, another Indonesian DH was also found to carry the same mutant strain, two days after arriving aboard a Cathay Pacific plane from Surabaya.

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Indonesia has been experiencing a surge in coronavirus infections, with 14,535 cases being recorded on Monday, the country's highest one-day total. The country has the third-highest number of cases in Asia after India and Iran.

Despite this, Hong Kong relegated it first, to the "high risk" category, which allowed passengers from the country to quarantine for only 14 days if vaccinated. Then, just eight days ago, it was downgraded to the "very high risk" group, along with Ireland, which requires a 21-day hotel quarantine for anyone arriving in Hong Kong from there, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.

Details on the grouping of specified places and their respective boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.            

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Tai Po residents told to get tested after sewage found with ‘heavy viral load’

By The SUN

All the areas inside the red mark in Tai Po have been put under compulsory testing notice

Hong Kong’s 16 days of no local cases of Covid-19 appears likely to end, with the reported discovery of an infected local man, and the high viral load found in sewage samples collected from the area near his house in Tai Po.

Without confirming the report about the person testing preliminary positive for Covid-19, the government issued a statement earlier today, Jun 23, saying a compulsory testing notice (CTC) has been issued over a large swathe of Tai Po.

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“Since the sewage samples collected in a specified area in Tai Po (see Annex) have tested positive, and a very high viral load is detected in these samples, all buildings and structures (except buildings or structures without any domestic uses) within the area are covered by the compulsory testing notice today (June 23),” said the statement.

The attached map shows that at least eight residential estates or areas are included in the testing order: Classical Gardens, Dynasty View, Grand Dynasty View, The Balmoral, Yat Nga Court, King Nga Court, Tuk Nga Court, and Ha Wun Yiu village.

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The CTC requires anyone who had been present at any of the buildings or structures (except those not used as residences) for more than two hours at any time between Jun 20-23, including residents, visitors and workers, must undergo testing by Jun 25.

According to media reports, about five preliminary positive cases were recorded today, and they include a patient his 20s who lives in the affected area in Tai Po. Tests are still being carried out to find out if he has one of the highly infectious variants.

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However, staff at the Centre for Health Protection declined to confirm the report immediately, saying they were still investigating.

If confirmed, this will be the first local case to be reported in Hong Kong since Jun 7, when a 20-year-old student living in Tin Shui Wai was found infected with a rare strain of the Alpha variant of the coronavirus.

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The variant was first detected in her younger sister, who also passed it on to their mother. The source of their infection remains unknown.

For those issued with a CTC in Tai Po today, here are the places where they can have the Covid test, with the corresponding times of operation: 

Locations	Opening dates and hours
Open area outside Block A (Yat Wing House), Yat Nga Court	June 23  5pm to 8pm June 24 to 25  10am to 8pm
Tai Po Market Station Public Transport Interchange
Ma Wo Road Garden

 

A mobile testing station will be set up outside the Tai Po Market MTR station from tomorrow

In addition, the community testing center at Tai Wo Sports Centre in Tai Po will also extend operation to June 25 (Friday).

 

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Anyone who is ordered to undergo a test may choose any of the following routes:

1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;

2. To attend any of the CTCs (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en);

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3. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);

4. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority;

5. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the DH and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf); or

6. To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. CTCs may also be contacted through their hotlines listed here: www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info.

Anyone found to have violated a CTN is liable to pay a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be ordered to undergo testing within a specified period. Failure to comply with the order could result in the offender being fined up to $25,000 and jailed for up to six months.

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Heavy rains to continue after today’s thunderstorm warning

By Vir B. Lumicao

 

It was wet and gloomy throughout the day today

The Hong Kong Observatory issued amber rainstorm and thunderstorm warnings this afternoon, Jun 23, as the city experienced heavy showers and some squally thunderstorms.

However, no typhoon signal was raised. Temperatures ranged between 26 and 29 degrees.

Heavier showers with squally thunderstorms are forecast for early tomorrow, easing off gradually in the next few days. But there should be sunny intervals with a few showers over the weekend.

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The Observatory issued the amber rainstorm warning at 12:45pm as a low pressure area in the Pearl River Estuary area brought heavy showers in parts of the city. However, the signal was cancelled at 3:30pm.

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The thunderstorm warning, on the other hand, was issued at 12:15, and was extended until 4:45 p.m., as thundery weather associated with the low pressure trough was expected.

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The Observatory advised the public to stay indoors during the thunderstorms, and after its cancellation, still cautioned people to be alert for flooding in low-lying areas.

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Hong Kong is expected to remain cloudy for the rest for the day with  showers and light to moderate southwesterly winds.

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Heavy rain is expected overnight, with squally thunderstorms. The rainy weather will continue until Friday.

Sunny intervals are forecast over the weekend until Monday, as a southwesterly air stream hovers over the coast of Guangdong. Tuesday and Wednesday next week will remain mostly cloudy, but the rains will ease gradually later in the week.

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The Observatory said that the low pressure area now bringing heavy showers and thunderstorms to the coast of southern China will gradually weaken in the next few days.

 

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Expert urges, put UK back on ‘very high risk’ category amid variant surge

By Daisy CL Mandap 

HK people pack flights to London after the govt announced the shortened quarantine

An infectious disease expert has urged Hong Kong to put the United Kingdom back in the ‘very high risk’ category amid a new surge of infections in the country, with most of the patients reportedly carrying the much-dreaded Delta variant.

Only Ireland and Indonesia are currently in that category, which requires all arrivals from these places to spend 21 days in hotel quarantine, whether they are vaccinated or not.

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Meanwhile, another Indonesian domestic helper tested positive today for the L452R variant mutation, said to be behind the recent spike in coronavirus cases in many parts of the world.  

According to staff of the Centre for Health Protection, the 34-year-old female patient arrived on Jun 19 from Jakarta aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX 2780 from Surabaya. She showed symptoms on Jun 21 and tested positive yesterday.

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Yesterday, four of six infected passengers aboard Garuda Airlines from Jakarta were also found to carry the variant strain, prompting a ban on the airline for the second time this month.

The results of the variant tests on the two other patients who were reportedly found infected while in quarantine in Penny’s Bay, are said to be still pending.

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A second case was reported in Hong Kong today, pertaining to a 49-year-old seaman whose vessel is said to have already left port, bringing him along. The test sample from the man was said to be insufficient for variant testing.

Indonesia has been experiencing its own coronavirus surge, with 14,535 cases being recorded on Monday, the country's highest one-day total. The country has the third-highest number of cases in Asia after India and Iran.

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Meanwhile, microbiologist Ho Pak-leung who advises the government on its infection control, has said that the UK needs to be put back in the “very high risk” category amid fears of a rapid spread of the Delta variant in that country.

The daily tally of cases in the UK surged to 11,625 yesterday, the highest since mid-February. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 4,651,988. 

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Ho warned that the expected influx of students returning to Hong Kong during the summer holiday could cause another wave of infections here, which may not be detected during the shortened quarantine period specified for the UK.

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According to a plan announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Monday, travelers from countries designated as “low” to “high” risk could quarantine for only seven days if they are fully vaccinated and test positive for antibodies against Covid-19.

The quarantine is extended to 14 days for unvaccinated arrivals.

 

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6 Indo DHs found infected on arrival, nearly triggers country ban

By Daisy CL Mandap 

Garuda has been suspended from flying to HK for the second time this month

Six Indonesian domestic helpers who flew into Hong Kong aboard the same flight on June 20 are among seven new confirmed Covid-19 cases today, Jun 22.

According to staff at the Centre for Health Protection, the seventh is a 51-year-old male seafarer who did not enter Hong Kong but whose specimen sample was sent in for testing from aboard his ship.

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CHP also said that four of the Indonesians, aged 28, 33, 34 and 37, tested positive for the L452R variant of the coronavirus on arrival at Hong Kong airport, thus triggering a new two-week ban on Garuda Airlines flight GA876 from Jakarta.

The two others, aged 37 and 41, were found infected on the same day after they were taken to Penny’s Bay quarantine centre, having been identified as close contacts of their four co-passengers. CHP said it is not known if they carry the variant, as test results are still pending.

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Had five of them tested positive for any form of mutant virus on arrival at HK airport, all flights from Indonesia would have been halted in line with restrictions imposed on May 4 under Cap 599H of the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance.

This regulation provides: “Under the existing place-specific flight suspension mechanism, if among all passenger from the same place, regardless of airline, a total of five or more passengers were confirmed positive by arrival tests for Covid-19 with the N501Y mutant strain or relevant virus mutation within a seven-day period, or a total of 10 or more passengers were confirmed positive by any tests (including tests conducted during quarantine) with the N501Y mutant strain or relevant virus mutation within a seven-day period, the Government will invoke Cap. 599H to prohibit all passenger flights from that place from landing in Hong Kong, and will specify that relevant place as an extremely high-risk place (i.e. the existing Group A specified place) under Cap. 599H to restrict persons who have stayed in that place for more than two hours from boarding passenger flights for Hong Kong, so as to stop persons from the relevant place from travelling to Hong Kong via transit.”

A country ban is imposed if 5 people from the place arrive in HK with the variant within 7 days

Thus, even if only the four are deemed to have been found with the mutant virus on arrival test, it would take only one more passenger testing positive for the variant within the next six days for all flights from Indonesia to be suspended.

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Meanwhile, the ban on the Indonesian flag carrier Garuda, which takes effect from Jun 22 to July 5, is the second within the month. It was earlier suspended from Jun 2 to 15, after it flew in four infected passengers, three of whom carried the mutated virus.

Another flight from Jakarta, CX 798, is still suspended after three of its passengers tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival on Jun 11. Two of them carried mutated strain of the virus.

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A flight-specific ban is triggered if at least three passengers on board test positive for coronavirus on arrival in Hong Kong.

Today’s new infections raised Hong Kong’s Covid tally to 11,896.

In the past 14 days, a total of 24 cases have been reported, and all of them are imported. It is the 15^th straight day that no new local case was detected in the city.

For the latest updates on the coronavirus situation in Hong Kong, log on to the government’s thematic website, www.coronavirus.gov.hk or through the WhatsApp Helpline, 9617 1823.

 

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8 Filipinas, 4 Nigerians arrested in $12-million laundering scam

By Vir B. Lumicao 

Photo of ATM transactions made from an account used for money laundering

Eight Filipina domestic workers, four Nigerian men, a Nepali man and a local woman were arrested last week as Hong Kong police busted a syndicate that laundered $12 million derived from at least 30 online romance scams.

A police spokeswoman said all the suspects have been released on police bail and told to report back in mid-July. She said the investigation was continuing and did not rule out further arrests.

The arrested persons, aged 30 to 53, were arrested for money laundering and conspiracy to defraud, the police said.

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Police disclosed in a press conference yesterday that one of the Nigerians was the mastermind while the three others were core members of the syndicate. One of them is a recognizance holder while the three others are Hong Kong residents.

The Nigerians were arrested in Causeway Bay and Tai Kok Tsui. Several ATM cards owned by some of the helpers were seized from two of them, the police said.

The police seized $1.5 million in cash, phones, ATM, SIM and Octopus cards, and tools for authenticating bank passwords.

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The eight Filipinas, who are all account owners, were manipulated to open 21 bank accounts that the scammers used for laundering $12 million that they fleeced from the romance scam victims, the police said.

The police said the scams took place between January and June, victimizing two local men and 28 women clerks, students, housewives and retirees aged 22 to 64.

The biggest loser was a female victim who claimed she had paid the scammers as much as $2.4 million.

Some Filipinas said they were taken to this bank branch by syndicate runners to open an ATM account

The conmen, introducing themselves as western businessmen, professionals or soldiers, pretended to send expensive gift packages to the victims. A few days later, a purported  delivery staff would call the victims, saying they need to pay several thousand dollars so Customs would release the package.

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The caller gives the account number of a Filipina, who the syndicate has tricked into lending or surrendering her ATM card to them.

“The mastermind then moved the money to the bank account of the syndicate’s company and then multiple local and overseas bank accounts to launder the money,” Commercial Crime Bureau Senior Inspector Tang Kwok-hin was quoted as saying in a report.

Data from the Anti-Deception Coordinating Centre show there were 517 online romance scams in January-April, a 93.6% surge from 267 in the same period last year. The victims were cheated of a total amount of $196 million, up 140% from last year.

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Bureau Chief Superintendent Lam Man-han was quoted as saying online banking and virtual currencies have made it more difficult to detect money laundering.

These virtual bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets are very easy to open. You don’t need face-to-face interaction with the account providers,” Lam said.

“It provides a very convenient and fast method… to do money transactions. It’s very difficult and complicated for us to trace the money.”

The Consulate said so far none of the arrested Filipinas has approached the assistance to nationals section for help or guidance. But previously, a number of Filipina domestic helpers had asked for help after being arrested for their suspected involvement in money laundering transactions.

In these cases, the Filipinas said they were tricked into opening bank accounts by people who offered parttime jobs, then took away their ATM cards, saying these would be used to pay them for their services.

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Filipino DH found hanging in New Territories hut

By Daisy CL Mandap     

Police are still investigating the alleged suicide in Tsiu Keng village, Sheung Shui

A 36-year-old Filipino domestic worker was found hanging inside a hut in Sheung Shui, New Territories Monday morning, police said.

The man, with initials R. F., reportedly lived alone in the hut in Tsiu Keng  village owned by his employer.

According to the police, they received a call at 10:25 am yesterday from a male colleague of the deceased who said the victim had hanged himself with a rope inside the hut.

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Officers who responded to the call took R.F. down. They found no suicide note, so a police spokesperson said they are carrying out an investigation into the cause of death.

An autopsy will also be performed.

A Filipina domestic worker who calls the victim “kuya” said the death came as a surprise because R.F. just had his second dose of the BioNTech vaccine on Saturday and reported feeling weak. Thus, it was improbable that he found the strength to hang himself.

“Nanghihina na at masama na ang pakiramdam,” said the Filipina helper, who also said the hut was just one of several houses owned by R.F.’s employer. “Tapos di na siya ma contact.”

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(He was feeling so weak and unwell then. He couldn’t be contacted anymore after that).

The Filipina said she wished someone had taken a video footage of the victim while he was hanging to help with the investigation.

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“O kaya picture pagbukas pa lang ng pintuan,” she said (Or they could have at least taken a picture as soon as they opened the door to the hut).

R.F. who was married and hailed from Pangasinan, was said to have worked in Hong Kong for only three years. He worked in his employer’s leisure farm planted with various fruits and vegetables.

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His family reportedly finds it hard to accept that R.F. would have killed himself, so they are looking forward to the result of the police investigation, and the autopsy that will be carried out both in Hong Kong and the Philippines.

 

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