kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SCS visits Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (with photos)
4.11.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, visited the Nam Cheong Offices and Vehicle Depot of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 4) to learn more about the work of frontline colleagues and to meet with its management and staff of various grades. Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, Mr Nip first met with the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Ms Irene Young, and the directorate staff to receive an update on the department's work in ensuring food safety and maintaining public hygiene, as well as the challenges confronting them. Mr Nip also met with staff representatives of various grades and frontline colleagues to exchange views on matters that concern them. Mr Nip also learnt about the implementation of the arrangements requiring members of the pubic to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application when entering government buildings or offices from the colleagues. He expressed understanding on the challenges faced by colleagues. He thanked and encouraged them to remain dedicated to their duties and rise to the challenges in the anti-epidemic work. "Improving people's livelihood is a priority for the current-term Government. The FEHD's work such as street cleaning and licensing services is closely linked to people's daily lives and members of the public can note its effectiveness immediately. As the backbone of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I hope that civil service colleagues will uphold their professionalism and efficiency, and keep abreast of the times to better serve the public and meet various opportunities and challenges," Mr Nip said. At the Transport Section, Mr Nip was briefed on the newly introduced low-entry driver cab type refuse collection vehicles (RCVs), which can improve the safety of frontline cleaning workers and enhance their work efficiency. He was also told how the RCVs could help drivers and cleaning workers reduce the risk of sustaining injuries while getting on and off the vehicles. In addition, the RCVs are equipped with large windscreens and side windows to provide drivers with wider vision, thereby enhancing the safety of drivers and road users. Mr Nip was also briefed by frontline colleagues of the Dead Removal Team on their daily work and work equipment. He also visited the Hawkers and Markets Section (Kowloon) to learn about its services, including hawker licence renewals, handling market stall tenancy agreements and the arrangements for the open auctions for vacant market stalls in the Kowloon region that are held from time to time.
Government's outreach team provides COVID-19 vaccination service to Mui Wo and Peng Chau residents (with photos)
30.10.2021

The Government's outreach COVID-19 vaccination team went to Islands District today (October 30) to serve residents in Mui Wo and Peng Chau. The outreach team provided a Sinovac vaccination service at Mui Wo Sports Centre and Peng Chau Sports Centre. A total of 273 residents and elderly persons were vaccinated through the outreach service. Attending the vaccination events held in Mui Wo and Peng Chau, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, together with local community members, encouraged residents to learn about COVID-19 vaccines and get vaccinated. "Many people like visiting Mui Wo and Peng Chau to take a break and relax during holidays. As such, residents of these places should be mindful of epidemic prevention as there is no boundary in the spread of COVID-19. Given the threat posed by mutant strains with higher transmissibility, vaccination is the best way for self-protection and to reduce the risk of serious illness and death should one get infected," Mr Nip said. "For residents who are older, have mobility problems or do not go out very often, it is not easy for them to travel long distances to receive vaccination. Therefore, the Government has arranged the outreach service for the residents and has joined hands with the respective Rural Committees and district bodies to encourage residents to get vaccinated." Apart from Mui Wo and Peng Chau, after holding a vaccination activity in Tai Yuen Community Hall earlier, Tai Po District held another vaccination event in Tai Po Community Centre today. Mr Nip attended the event to support the participants to get vaccinated. "The weather has been getting cool recently. We should seize the opportunity to receive COVID-19 vaccination and seasonal influenza vaccination to protect ourselves. We should also have a proper understanding of the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Experts tell us that all elderly persons who have previously received influenza vaccines can safely receive COVID-19 vaccines," he added. Members of the public can receive COVID-19 vaccination through various channels. All eligible persons can collect same-day tickets. They can get vaccinated without prior bookings at the Community Vaccination Centres. People may also make reservations and choose their preferred time slots to receive the Sinovac vaccine or the BioNTech vaccine through the designated website of the Vaccination Programme ( www.covidvaccine.gov.hk ). People may also make reservations for Sinovac vaccination at Ma On Shan Family Medicine Centre and Tin Shui Wai (Tin Yip Road) Community Health Centre under the Hospital Authority. They can also receive the Sinovac vaccine through private doctors or clinics participating in the programme. ãã The COVID-19 Vaccination Stations at public hospitals operate from 10am to 7pm on weekdays except public holidays, with no lunch break. The last vaccination is at 6.30pm.
SCS appeals to residents of residential care homes for elderly to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible (with photos)
28.10.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said today (October 28) that residents of residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) and nursing homes should receive COVID-19 vaccination as early as possible for self-protection. He also appealed to family members of these residents to truly understand the serious threat posed to the health of unvaccinated residents should there be an epidemic outbreak. Accompanied by the Acting Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services), Mr Tan Tick-yee, Mr Nip visited an RCHE in To Kwa Wan to view the administering of a COVID-19 vaccine to residents of the RCHE by visiting medical officers. Together with the residents who received vaccination yesterday (October 27), over 100 residents have been vaccinated at the RCHE yesterday and today. The RCHE is one of the first batch participants of a vaccination scheme in which the Government took the initiative to make arrangements for unvaccinated residents of residential care homes (RCHs) to have health assessments by doctors. Upon confirmation that the residents are suitable for receiving the Sinovac vaccine, and that their family members do not clearly oppose vaccination, the Sinovac vaccine will be administered to residents by visiting medical officers under the informed consent of them or their legal guardians, so as to give early protection to them and other residents as well as staff of RCHs. "More than 6.88 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered worldwide. Residents and their family members should learn about the importance and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in an objective manner. In fact, the Joint Scientific Committees together with the expert advisory panel highly recommend elderly persons to receive COVID-19 vaccination, pointing out that all elderly persons who have previously received influenza vaccines can safely receive COVID-19 vaccines. Elderly persons or residents with chronic illnesses should receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible as long as they are not suffering from acute illnesses," Mr Nip said. "The analysis of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hong Kong shows that among the 137 cases involving residents of RCHEs, the mortality rate was up to 28 per cent. Getting vaccinated is the best method to safeguard our own health. Residents of RCHEs as well as their family members should be in support of receiving COVID-19 vaccination to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected." For information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the designated website at www.covidvaccine.gov.hk .
COVID-19 vaccination activities held in Yuen Long, Central & Western districts (with photos)
23.10.2021

Following the provision of a COVID-19 vaccination service at shopping malls in Kwun Tong and Lok Fu earlier, the Government's outreach vaccination team today (October 23) provided the BioNTech vaccination service to residents at a temporary vaccination area in a shopping mall in Yuen Long. Meanwhile, senior citizens taking part in a vaccination event for elderly persons in Central and Western District received jabs after a health talk and medical consultation in Sheung Wan. Those who opted to receive Sinovac or BioNTech vaccinations were then arranged to receive their jabs at the Community Vaccination Centres at Java Road Sports Centre or Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre respectively. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, went to Yuen Long and Sheung Wan to encourage people to get vaccinated and to express his thanks to participants, representatives of the organisers and supporting groups. Under the threat posed by mutant strains, Mr Nip appealed to members of the public to get vaccinated early in a bid to reduce their risk of falling seriously ill and dying should they get infected. Members of the public can receive COVID-19 vaccination through various channels. All eligible persons can collect same-day tickets. They can get vaccinated without prior bookings at the CVCs. People may also make reservations and choose their preferred time slots to receive the Sinovac vaccine or the BioNTech vaccine through the designated website of the Vaccination Programme ( www.covidvaccine.gov.hk ), or they can receive the Sinovac vaccine through private doctors or clinics participating in the Programme. In addition, the seven COVID-19 Vaccination Stations at public hospitals operate from 10am to 7pm on weekdays except public holidays, with no lunch break. The last vaccination is at 6.30pm.
SCS visits Government Logistics Department (with photos)
18.10.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, visited the Government Logistics Department (GLD) today (October 18) to meet with its management and staff of various grades to learn more about their work and matters of concern. Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, Mr Nip met with the Director of Government Logistics, Miss Mary Chow, and the directorate staff to receive an update on the department's work and the challenges confronting them. He also met with staff representatives of various grades to exchange views on matters that concern them. Mr Nip said that "The Chief Executive's 2021 Policy Address" proposed to enhance the effectiveness of governance, and as the backbone of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the civil service played a vital role in implementing the principle of "one country, two systems". He encouraged colleagues of the GLD to spare no efforts in giving support to colleagues of bureaux and departments, always bearing in mind the aim of striving for excellence in delivering government services. They should be innovative, adept in policy making as well as execution, work with a strong sense of responsibility, and make good use of innovation and technology, so as to meet various opportunities and challenges in the new era. At the Unallocated Store of the Storage and Distribution Section of the Supplies Management Division, he was briefed on the storage and delivery of essential and emergency items including protective gears for bureaux and departments. Meanwhile, colleagues of the Land Transport Division showed Mr Nip electric vehicles for the government fleet. He noted that the GLD would give priority to environment-friendly vehicles in the procurement, subject to the availability of suitable vehicles in the market that could meet the department's operational needs. This measure will help to reduce pollutant emissions and enhance energy efficiency. Mr Nip also toured the Printing Unit and the Finishing Unit of the Printing Division where he gained an understanding of the daily work of colleagues, including deploying various printing and binding techniques to produce a variety of publications according to the needs of the departments.
Transcript of remarks by SCS at media session
15.10.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, at a media session after attending a public function today (October 15): Reporter: Regarding the National Security Law test for government workers, how likely that this would discourage people to work for the Government as fear of not passing the exam? Is there a timeline for it? Second question, can you confirm whether there's a plan to reduce the number of vaccination centres... Secretary for the Civil Service: For those who apply for government jobs, we would require them to attend a test. In the past, we have been doing this for the Basic Law Test, and we would review the content of the test and also introduce an additional requirement about attending a test on the National Security Law because for those who join the Government, it is important for them to have a basic understanding about the Basic Law, about the "one country, two systems" principle and also the importance of understanding national security. I think it is only natural that we introduce these tests for those who wish to apply for government jobs. I am not worried about whether this would lead to a reduction in the number of applications. The most important thing is that we recruit the right people. I think that's the most important. As regards the number of COVID-19 Community Vaccination Centres, we would review the current vaccination situation, the need for the third dose, the scope and the target groups that should receive the third dose, etc, and then review the need for continuing the operation of the Community Vaccination Centres after end-December. We would take a view and announce that probably by the end of this month or early next month. We will keep in view of the situation and let the public know as soon as possible when we are ready. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
COVID-19 Vaccination Stations to be set up at four public hospitals
15.10.2021

The Government will set up COVID-19 Vaccination Stations in four public hospitals starting from next Monday (October 18) to enable patients visiting the hospital for follow-up appointments and visitors, in particular patients of specialist out-patient clinics, to receive BioNTech vaccination without prior booking when they have their follow-up medical consultation. The new COVID-19 Vaccination Stations will be set up in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Caritas Medical Centre and Prince of Wales Hospital respectively. In addition to the vaccination stations in Queen Mary Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Tuen Mun Hospital which came into service last month, the number of vaccination stations will increase from three to seven. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said today (October 15), "The vaccination rate for elderly persons has increased recently. However, given the threat posed by mutant strains, their vaccination rate should raise further as they have comparatively higher risk of falling seriously ill and dying brought by COVID-19 infection. As such, the Government set up vaccination stations operated by medical organisations in three public hospitals as a pilot scheme. In the past two weeks, an average of about 200 people received vaccination at the vaccination stations every day. After evaluation, the Government has decided to expand the scheme to enable more elderly persons to receive vaccination when they have their follow-up medical consultation at specialist out-patient clinics in hospitals." The vaccination stations operate from 10am to 7pm on weekdays except public holidays, with no lunch break. Last vaccination is at 6.30pm. Arrangements will be made for people being vaccinated to have their second dose injection at the same vaccination station or another Community Vaccination Centre. For those who opt for the Sinovac vaccine, they will be referred to a nearby Community Vaccination Centre. The locations of the vaccination stations are as follows: Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Station Address: Hospital Hall, G/F, East Block, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, 3 Lok Man Road Tseung Kwan O Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Station Address: Function Room, 1/F, Ambulatory Care Block, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, 2 Po Ning Lane, Hang Hau Caritas Medical Centre COVID-19 Vaccination Station Address: Function Room (Room 1069), 1/F, Wai Ming Block, Caritas Medical Centre, 111 Wing Hong Street Prince of Wales Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Station Address: 2/F, Day Treatment Block and Children Wards, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street Queen Mary Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Station Address: 3rd Floor, Block S, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road Queen Elizabeth Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Station Address: G/F, Ambulatory Care Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road Tuen Mun Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Station Address: G/F, Main Block, Tuen Mun Hospital, 23 Tsing Chung Koon Road
Civil Service Bureau appeals to elderly persons to receive COVID-19 vaccination as early as possible (with photos)
10.10.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, attended an activity which covered a talk on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations for elderly persons in North District at Luen Wo Hui Community Hall in Fanling today (October 10). He encouraged the elderly persons during the health talk to learn about the importance of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves. About 210 residents took part in today's activity. They could choose to receive the Sinovac vaccine on site or receive the BioNTech vaccine at the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Lung Sum Avenue Sports Centre. Mr Nip said, "Following a period with no local cases of COVID-19, the recent finding of a positive local case involving a mutant strain shows there is an immediate need to build a protective shield in the community. Persons who have not yet received vaccination should get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves as vaccination can help reduce the risk of getting seriously ill and death from COVID-19 infection. "Under the threat posed by highly transmissible mutant strains, elderly persons who are not vaccinated will be subject to an extremely high risk of getting seriously ill and dying from COVID-19 infection. I hope that members of the public, in particular elderly persons, can have a correct understanding of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines." Experts recommend that elderly persons should receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible as long as they are not suffering from acute illnesses. All elderly persons who have previously received influenza vaccines can safely receive COVID-19 vaccines. Today's activity was jointly organised by the North District Office and a North District committee of the New Territories Association of Societies and supported by various local organisations. Members of the public can receive a COVID-19 vaccination through various channels. All eligible persons can collect same-day tickets. They can get vaccinated without prior bookings at the CVCs. People may also make reservations and choose their preferred time slots for vaccinations through the designated website of the Programme ( www.covidvaccine.gov.hk ), or they can receive the Sinovac vaccine through private doctors or clinics under the Programme. In addition to the CVCs, the COVID-19 Vaccination Stations in Queen Mary Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Tuen Mun Hospital have commenced operation to enable patients visiting the hospitals for follow-up appointments and visitors to receive the BioNTech vaccination without prior booking. The vaccination stations will open from 10am to 7pm on weekdays except public holidays, with no lunch break. Last vaccination is at 6.30pm.
Outreach team to provide COVID-19 vaccination service at Cheung Fat Estate for three consecutive days
7.10.2021

The Government's outreach vaccination team will provide a COVID-19 vaccination service at Cheung Fat Estate Community Centre for three consecutive days from Monday to Wednesday (October 11 to 13) from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm for residents of Kwai Tsing District, in particular elderly persons, to receive Sinovac vaccination. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said today (October 7), "As mentioned in 'The Chief Executive's 2021 Policy Address', we will press ahead with vaccination of people, particularly the elderly over 70 years of age, to protect them from serious illness if they are infected and to build a protective shield. The vaccination activity at Cheung Fat Estate to be held next week is one of the measures that aim at enabling members of the public living in nearby housing estates, in particular elderly persons, to receive COVID-19 vaccination. "Reaching out to the community and focusing on the elderly is a strategy priority of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme at this stage. A one-stop service covering a health talk, medical consultation and on-site COVID-19 vaccination has been provided in 12 districts to let members of the public learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines and get vaccinated. Given the threat posed by mutant strains, persons who are suitable for COVID-19 vaccination should get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves and to reduce their risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected. The Government appeals to persons who are not yet vaccinated, in particular the elderly, to seize the opportunity to get vaccinated. This is the best way for people to protect themselves amid the epidemic." Experts have recommended that elderly persons should receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, as long as they are not suffering from acute illnesses. All elderly persons who have previously received influenza vaccines can safely receive COVID-19 vaccines. Both COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong are safe and highly effective in protecting against severe disease and death from COVID-19 infection. The activity is jointly promoted by the Kwai Tsing District Office and various local organisations. Residents of Kwai Tsing District can contact the Kwai Tsing District Office at 4647 6097 for enquiries. For information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the designated website at www.covidvaccine.gov.hk .