Govt warns, vaccinated people who get jabbed in HK again face prosecution

By The SUN 

HK requires all qualified people to get only two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, whatever the brand

The government has warned that getting two Covid vaccine shots in Hong Kong after getting fully vaccinated elsewhere may constitute a criminal offence.

The warning, issued late on Monday, followed reports a 30-year-old man had taken two doses of BioNTech vaccine in Hong Kong despite having received two Moderna jabs in Singapore. The man who works in Hong Kong reportedly wanted to get an electronic vaccination record so he could visit bars.

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But the government statement said not only will the man not get the vaccination proof in Hong Kong, he could also be prosecuted.

"The relevant act may involve a misrepresentation and gaining of benefits through deception which constitutes a criminal offence,” said the statement. 

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“The Government will conduct investigation and consider taking appropriate legal actions.  If necessary, we will prosecute the relevant person.  We also do not rule out the possibility of not providing the relevant person with the vaccination record proof of the vaccines received in Hong Kong.”

The statement criticized the man for being dishonest by not telling the person who administered the jabs to him in Hong Kong that he was already fully vaccinated.

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“The act of the person concerned not only potentially poses risks to his own health but also at the same time implicates the healthcare worker administering vaccination to him.  Furthermore, it seriously wastes precious vaccine resources,” said the statement.

“The Government condemns such extremely selfish and irresponsible act which disregards the well-being of others.”

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The desire to get Hong Kong’s computerized vaccination record and the difficulty of getting their inoculation abroad recognized here are causing not a few people coming from overseas to consider getting Covid-19 shots again here.

Even foreign domestic workers in the Philippines have been sending messages to ask if agreeing to get vaccinated in Hong Kong again could get them in faster, given the ban on passenger flights from the Philippines that continues to be enforced.

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Recently, there was also a report that vaccinations carried out in the Philippines and Indonesia will not be recognized in Hong Kong, despite its plan to allow vaccinated people from places designated as “extremely high-risk” to come in.

People anxious to get into HK are afraid their vaccination abroad won't be recognized here

Only the United Kingdom was said to be in the list of countries designated by the World Health Organization as being a “recognized authority” for Covid-19 vaccination.

In the statement, the government appealed to the public to follow its established protocol of providing each qualified individual with two shots of either Sinovac or BioNTech vaccine, the only ones available in Hong Kong. Those who were infected with Covid-19 need only one dose.

For those who had received their first dose of a vaccine outside Hong Kong, they are obliged to inform the healthcare worker responsible for administering the jab about this so it could be noted in their vaccination record.

Those who had completed their vaccination abroad need not get extra doses of the vaccine in Hong Kong.

As the government has no way of knowing if those who apply for vaccination here had previously been inoculated abroad, it devolves upon the person concerned to provide truthful statements about their health and vaccination situation, said the government.

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More rains expected as Strong Wind Signal No 3 raised

 By The SUN 

More heavy rain is expected tomorrow and Wednesday

More heavy rain and squally thunderstorms are expected in Hong Kong over the next few days, after the Observatory hoisted Strong Wind Signal No.3 with the approach of tropical storm Cempaka to the coast of western Guangdong.

People were warned to brace for winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour.

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However, the Observatory said the chance of raising the Storm Signal to No.8 overnight is not high. Instead, Signal No.3 will remain in force for some time overnight as the storm’s intensity and track remain uncertain.

The Observatory says it will closely monitor its movement and development.

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The bad weather is expected to affect Hong Kong over the next couple of days, gradually easing later in the week. Tomorrow and Wednesdays will remain mostly cloudy with showers which will be heavy at times. Thunderstorms are expected and seas will be rough. 

At 9pm, the typhoon was about 200km southwest of Hong Kong, moving north slowly as it edged closer to the vicinity of the area west of the Pearl River Estuary, the Observatory said.

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Hong Kong’s third Signal No.3 weather disturbance this year was preceded by heavy rains in a wide swath of the SAR overnight Sunday. The rains intensified this morning, initially prompting the Observatory to raise the Amber rain warning.

By lunchtime, office workers going out to buy food were deterred by driving rain that created puddles and streams on the streets.

T3 was raised even as rains gradually eased in the afternoon 

Due to big waves, red flags were hoisted at several beaches: Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach in Islands District; and Hap Mun Bay Beach, Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. 

Beach-goers were advised not to swim at these beaches.

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But the area of gales or strong wind associated with Cempaka is relatively small, the Observatory said. Unless the typhoon intensifies significantly or moves closer to Hong Kong, the chance of gales over the SAR generally is not high.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Ngong Ping, Tate’s Cairn and Cheung Chau Beach were 65, 54 and 50 km per hour with maximum gusts of 87kph, 71kph and 65kph respectively.

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The Observatory hoisted Signal 3 at 4:10pm and urged people to secure objects that could be blown away and ensure all windows and doors are closed securely. Those living in low-lying areas were advised to take precautions against floods.

Classes were suspended at kindergartens, schools for children with physical disability and schools for children with intellectual disability.

The Labour Department reminded employers to make prior work arrangements for staff during and after tropical cyclone and rainstorm warnings to ensure the safety of employees and smooth operation of establishments.

“Employers should give prime consideration to employees’ safety and the feasibility for employees to travel to and from their workplaces,” the Department said in a press release.

After Signal No. 3 was hoisted, the Home Affairs Department activated a round-the-clock hotline, 2572 8427, for public enquiries on the tropical cyclone.

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No new Covid-19 case, but vaccinated traveler from US tests preliminary positive

By The SUN 

Centre Point in Central where the patient lives has been put on overnight lockdown

No new confirmed case of Covid-19 infection was reported today, but the Centre for Health Protection has announced that it is investigating an imported infection involving the L452R mutant strain.

The case is said to involve a 27-year-old male patient who lives at Centre Point, 72 Staunton Street in Central. He traveled to the United States on Jul 4 and returned to Hong Kong on Jul 14.

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The specimen he submitted on arrival at Hong Kong Airport tested preliminary positive for Covid-19. Further testing at the Department of Health laboratory revealed that he carries the L452R strain commonly associated with the Delta variant. He is asymptomatic.

Investigation revealed the patient received two doses of the vaccine from BioNTech in Hong Kong on Apr 26 and May 17.

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As his Ct value is relatively low (about 21 to 24) indicating a high viral load, the patient is believed to have been infected during his recent visit to the US.  CHP has therefore classified his case as imported.

But since he had stayed partly in Hong Kong during the 21 days before he was found infected, or from June 27 to Jul 7, the government has ordered an overnight lockdown of Centre Point Building, where he had resided.

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Residents will also be subject to compulsory testing on Days 3, 7, 12 and 19, counting from the day on which the case is announced.

Pacific Plaza in Shek Tong Sui (brown building) has been put under compulsory testing

Also put under compulsory testing is his workplace at Pacific Plaza on 418 Des Voeux Road West, where he last went to work on Jul 2. Places he had visited during the incubation period will also be included in the compulsory testing order.

The CHP strongly urges members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, in particular to places specified by Hong Kong as extremely high risk and very high risk.

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Parents are also urged not to bring their children when traveling abroad.

If the travel is unavoidable, people should get vaccinated to lower their chances of being infected with COVID-19 overseas. They should continue to wear a surgical mask and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times.

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For more information on the Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong, log on to www.coronavaccine.gov.hk.

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Filipina jailed 5 months for overstaying faces more charges for hiding identity

By Vir B. Lumicao 

The accused gave police a false identity and claimed to have come as a domestic worker

A Filipina tourist who kept police guessing about her true identity was sentenced today, July 19, to five months in jail after she pleaded guilty to overstaying her visa for more than seven years.

The defendant, Virginia M. Nasayao, 56, still faces four other charges relating to her having lied to Hong Kong authorities about her identity, giving false information and theft, the prosecution told Eastern Court.

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But it was for the fifth charge of overstaying that she was sentenced by Magistrate Daniel Tang.

According to the charge, Nasayao was spotted on Feb 10 this year by an anti-crime patrol of the Eastern District Police as resembling one of the culprits in a theft case committed at the rear lane of 67 Java Road, North Point.

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When stopped, she failed to show any valid proof of identity. But she gave police a false name and date of birth.

During police interview, the defendant claimed she came to Hong Kong from abroad to work as a domestic helper in 2013. She said her contract ended in 2015 but she did not move to another employer and had since remained in Hong Kong, the prosecution said.

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However during a computer-assisted palm and fingerprint identification done by the police as well as a check with the Registration of Persons no record in the name she gave was found. 

Pressed further, she provided a copy of her Philippine passport that identified her as “Virginia Moratalla Nasayao.”

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An Immigration check of her document showed she came to Hong Kong on Jan 14, 2014 as a visitor and was permitted to stay only until Feb 1, 2014, the prosecution said. That prompted the overstaying charge.

Nasayao has been in custody since her arrest in February and will have served out her five-month sentence by August.

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But the prosecutor said the Filipina is still being investigated on the false information she gave about her identity and date of birth, and may be charged for other offences. 

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Tightened laws to speed up torture claims processing take effect on Aug 1

By The SUN 

Immigration may now start deportation arrangements even while an appeal is pending

An amendment to the Immigration Ordinance aimed at tightening procedures for screening non-refoulement claims, or those made by people trying to oppose their deportation back to their home country will take effect starting Aug. 1.

In a press release issued today, Jul 19, the government said the new provisions under the Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 are meant to prevent claimants’ “delaying tactics”, and step up their interception at source, removal and detention.

(The press release can be found here: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202107/19/P2021071900357.htm

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Procedures will also be tightened at the Torture Claims Appeal Board (TCAB) to speed up the processing of cases.

But the statement assured that the new procedures, which will apply to all claims filed from next month, will continue to follow legal standards of “high standards of fairness” as set down by the courts.

For claims and appeals made before Aug 1 but pending decisions by Immigration or TCAB, they will be handled under separate provisions in the amended ordinance. Further updates on this, with clear information to claimants and other relevant parties, will be issued on Aug. 1.

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But in line with the new rules, once an immigration officer has rejected a claim, repatriation arrangements will be started, even when an appeal is pending. Such arrangements may include liaising with the consulate on obtaining a travel document for the claimant, and arranging for flights with airlines.

The penalties for hiring holders of recognizance documents who are not legally employable have also been jacked up. From the current maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and fine of up to $350,000, employers now face a maximum or 10 years in prison and fine of up to $500,000.

The director, manager, secretary or other listed officers of the company concerned may also face prosecution.

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“In that connection, the Government would like to remind all employers not to defy the law and employ illegal workers,” said the statement. “The law enforcement agencies will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.”

Employers of illegal workers now face up to 10 years in prison and $500k fine

The amended rules also require claimants to attend interviews upon the request of the Immigration Department. If a claimant fails to attend an interview, Immigration may still decide on the claim.

During the screening interview, an interpretation service will be provided if needed. But “under certain unique circumstances” (such as when there is no available interpreter in the language requested by the claimant), Immigration may conduct the proceedings in a language it “reasonably considers the claimant being able to understand.”

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In cases where the physical or mental condition of a claimant is in dispute, Immigration may order the claimant to undergo a medical examination. If the claimant refuses to comply, Immigration may decide not to take into account the claimant’s disputed physical or mental condition.

In cases of appeals, the TCAB may also exercise the same powers pertaining to language and medical examinations of claimants. In addition, the TCAB may shorten the required notice period of 28 days for appeal hearings, though it should not be less than seven days.

In addition, the government will continue to exercise the right to detain claimants it deems to pose higher security risks to the community. Detainees will either be held at Castle Peak Immigration Centre which has a maximum capacity of 500 people, or the Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution which has a detention capacity of 160.

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In line with this, Immigration will consider and decide on the period of detention, taking into account relevant legal principles and detention policy.

In future, subsidiary legislation may be implemented that will allow the Secretary for Security to implement the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system to further enhance the government’s ability to detect claimants at source, or before they can fly out to Hong Kong.

“The government is determined to address the problems arising from non-refoulement claims,” said the statement.

“Upon the commencement of the Amendment Ordinance, the executive authorities will be able to handle matters related to non-refoulement claims more effectively.”

Latest government figures show that there are currently around 13,000 people fighting deportation from Hong Kong. Their chances of succeeding are low, if past statistics are to be considered.

In the past 11 years, a total of 22,737 torture or non-refoulement claims had been made. Of these, only 231, or about 1% of the claimants, were able to substantiate their claims. Since 2019, not a single claim has succeeded.

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Top official says HK on target for 70% vaccination rate

By The SUN

Nip says HK could hit 70% vaccination rate by end of  September

Hong Kong is likely to meet the goal of inoculating 70% of its population by the end of September, according to Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip, who heads the city’s vaccination program.

Nip made his forecast in an interview on Commercial Radio earlier today, Jul 18, when the inoculation rate among those who received their first jab was at 2.79 million, or 41% of the total number of people eligible for the vaccine.

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The number climbed to 2.817 million people, or about 41.42% of the eligible population as of 8pm today. Another 2 million had already completed two doses of a vaccine.

The combined tally shows a total of 4.82 million doses of vaccines had been administered to people in Hong Kong so far. If all those who had the first jab would complete their vaccination on schedule that would mean a total cover of about 56% of the eligible population within the next month.

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A recent surge in daily bookings for the vaccines has raised officials’ hope that Hong Kong would attain the so-called herd immunity from Covid-19, if at least 70% of eligible people take the vaccine.

Today’s turnout of 55,296 kept the target firmly in place.

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But in a press conference after the interview, Nip fended off a question on whether it was still advisable to close community vaccination centers by the end of August, considering that the target rate would not have been met yet by then.

“Our objective is to achieve the 70 percent of our population getting vaccinated as early as possible. We would closely monitor the booking and also the vaccination situation in the next two weeks. And then we would decide the way forward whether any adjustments need to be made to the vaccination program,” Nip said.

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Nip also disclosed a plan to allow senior citizens to get vaccinated without making a prior booking, as part of a strategy to get more of them to take the jab.

He noted that less than 25% of elderly people aged over 65, who are at a higher risk of getting infected, have been vaccinated so far.

Only 25% of those aged 65 and above have been vaccinated, says Nip

“Recently, the response is enthusiastic and some vaccination centers are often fully booked. But there are still some available slots. We’re studying if we can reserve some quota for the elderly people,” he said.

“It has to be well-planned. If we reserve two or more quota, it will reduce the number of time slots open for bookings. I don’t know how many people will come in the end.”

He also rejected a suggestion that Hong Kong drop Sinovac as a source of vaccines for local people, considering that some countries do not recognize it when giving quarantine concessions to inbound travelers.

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A recent survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong also showed that Sinovac vaccines produce only a tenth of the number of antibodies generated by the BioNTech jabs.

Nip said both vaccines have been approved for emergency use by Hong Kong’s health authority and by the World Health Organization.

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“So it’s very clear that both vaccines are safe, with the efficacy and also with the quality,” he said.

Nip also said that as the economy recovers and cross-border activities increase, inoculation must be mandatory.

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“If we have to open the borders with the mainland, we have to maintain the infection rate at zero and prevent imported cases,” he said.

“The vaccination rate in some industries is quite good. The vaccination rate of frontline civil servants is more than 70%,” Nip said, adding the government is planning to expand the vaccination scope of frontline civil servants so more can be inoculated.

This afternoon, a shipment of around 860,000 doses of BioNTech vaccine arrived in Hong Kong from its manufacturer, Baxter, in Germany. 

Staff carried out stringent checking and inspection of the vaccine in accordance with established procedures soon after the shipment arrived.

The government said it will put the vaccine in ultra-low temperature freezers to ensure proper storage as specified by the drug manufacturer.

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