kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Elderly people in Kowloon City District receive COVID-19 vaccination (with photos)
2.10.2021

With joint efforts from various local organisations in Kowloon City District, 205 elderly persons in the district participated in a COVID-19 vaccination event for the elderly at Hung Hom Community Hall today (October 2). They attended a health talk on COVID-19 vaccines and a visiting medical practitioner was on site to administer the Sinovac vaccine to elderly persons who would like to get vaccinated. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, attended the event to support the elderly persons to learn about the vaccines and get vaccinated. "Whether you are in your 70s, 80s, or even much senior, it is urgent that you protect yourself through learning about COVID-19 vaccines and get vaccinated. A one-stop service covering a health talk, medical consultation and on-site COVID-19 vaccination has been provided in various districts. The vaccinations were smooth and safe and some of the vaccine recipients were in their 90s. On the contrary, under the threat posed by mutant strains, elderly who are not vaccinated will be subject to the extremely high risk of getting seriously ill and death from COVID-19 infection," Mr Nip said. Experts recommended 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. 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 Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) continue to provide the first dose of vaccination service to the public this month and next month. All eligible persons who want to receive a COVID-19 vaccination can collect same-day tickets. They can get vaccinated without prior bookings as long as there are quotas for vaccination available at the CVCs. People may also make reservations and choose their preferred time slots for vaccination through the designated website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme ( www.covidvaccine.gov.hk ), or they can receive the Sinovac vaccine through private doctors or clinics under the programme. Meanwhile, 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.
SCS visits Housing Department (with photos)
29.9.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, visited the Housing Department today (September 29) 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 first met with the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing)/Director of Housing, Miss Agnes Wong, and the directorate staff to receive an update on the department's work relating to public housing matters and the challenges confronting them. ã Mr Nip then toured the Architectural Section of the Development and Construction Division, where he learned more about the work of the section on the planning, design and construction of public housing developments including the latest, Hoi Tat Estate in Sham Shui Po and On Tai Estate in Kwun Tong. Mr Nip said he was pleased to know that colleagues were committed to developing sustainable public housing and providing appropriate community facilities to enhance the quality life of residents. For instance, the department designed and built the Sham Shui Po Leisure and Cultural Building in Hoi Tat Estate, and constructed a 145-metre-long footbridge connecting Hoi Tat Estate and Hoi Ying Estate to facilitate the accessibility of the two estates and nearby public housing developments and assist the residents in reaching the Cheung Sha Wan waterfront area. Mr Nip said that public housing is a livelihood issue of great concern to the people of Hong Kong. He encouraged civil servants to have a sense of urgency, to put themselves in other people's shoes, and to think from a user's perspective in order to resolve problems for and better serve members of the public. He also received a briefing at the Geotechnical Engineering Management Unit under the Estate Management Division on how colleagues utilise technology to enhance their work, including the rolling out of the new Slope Maintenance Management System (SMMS) early this year. Using the real-time Geographic Information System and mobile application technology, the SMMS enables colleagues to retrieve, upload or analyse slope-related data at any time in offices or on-site while carrying out slope maintenance and emergency repair works. The SMMS also helps colleagues communicate and share real-time slope-related information with relevant work units. All this will enhance work efficiency. ã Before concluding his visit, Mr Nip met with staff representatives of various grades to exchange views on matters that concern them.
SCS speaks on COVID-19 Vaccination Stations at public hospitals (with photos/video)
29.9.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, at a media session after visiting the Queen Mary Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Station today (September 29): Reporter: How much do you think that these new hospital vaccination points can help with the Government's vaccination drive? Can you also clarify whether people who wish to take a vaccination here, do they need to prove that they have an appointment with the hospital that they are to be able to receive vaccination? Or is it all is welcomed for these vaccination points? Secretary for the Civil Service: This is an additional channel that facilitates the elderly to receive the jab. In addition to the vaccination stations at hospitals, we have the Community Vaccination Centres. We are doing outreach vaccination services at district level through one-stop activities including health talks, one-on-one medical consultation and on-site vaccination. We are also doing outreach vaccination services at shopping malls and public estates. We hope that we would explore every possible channel and I am sure that every channel counts. It is important to facilitate the elderly to get the jab. That is the first point. Secondly, for vaccination stations at hospitals, the intention is of course to facilitate those patients who need to have a consultation at hospitals so that while they are at hospitals waiting for medical consultation or waiting for drugs that they would take the opportunity really on-site at the hospital compound, they can get the jab. I would expect those who are coming to hospitals to receive the jab. There are no hard or very rigid rules, but I would expect for those who do not need to go to hospitals, of course, we will advise them not to go to hospitals. There are other channels including the 20-odd vaccination centres in the community that also provide very convenient channels for them to receive the vaccines. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SCS grieves over passing of police officer
27.9.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, today (September 27) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Senior Police Inspector Ms Lam Yuen-yee as she was carrying out her duties off Sha Chau on September 25. Mr Nip said, "On behalf of the civil service, I offer my deepest condolences the officer's family. The Civil Service Bureau has contacted the Police and will make every effort to help the family during this sad and difficult period." Mr Nip also sent his regards to the other three colleagues who were injured in the incident, and wished them a speedy recovery.
Residents in Eastern District and Ma On Shan participate in COVID-19 vaccination events (with photos)
26.9.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, attended COVID-19 vaccination events in Eastern District and Ma On Shan today (September 26). He appealed to members of the public, in particular the elderly, to seize the opportunity to get vaccinated before the winter influenza season arrives and encourage family members and friends who are not yet vaccinated to receive vaccination as early as possible. Around 140 people attended the vaccination event at Hong Kong Central Library. After a health talk, the participants could choose to receive Sinovac vaccination at the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Hong Kong Central Library or BioNTech vaccination at the CVC at Sai Wan Ho Sports Centre. The event was co-organised by the Eastern District Office, the Eastern and Wan Chai District Social Welfare Office and various organisations. Meanwhile, the Government's outreach vaccination team provided the BioNTech vaccination service to about 65 residents of a private housing estate in Ma On Shan. This is the first time that the property management company of a housing estate has taken the lead to gather residents who want to receive COVID-19 vaccination to participate in outreach vaccination. "To take care of ourselves and our family members, we all have to understand the importance and urgency of receiving COVID-19 vaccination. In the face of the continued severe global pandemic situation and challenges posed by mutant strains, we must make concerted efforts and do our best to increase the vaccination rate. Basically, persons who are suitable for vaccination should get vaccinated. Both COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong are safe and highly effective in protecting against severe disease and death from COVID-19 infection," Mr Nip said. All eligible persons who want to receive COVID-19 vaccination can collect same-day tickets from 21 CVCs under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme so that they can get vaccinated without prior booking. The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health recommend 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. For information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the designated website: www.covidvaccine.gov.hk .
Elderly people in Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan join COVID-19 vaccination day (with photos)
25.9.2021

COVID-19 vaccination events for the elderly were held in Kwun Tong District and Tsuen Wan District today (September 25) to enable nearby elderly persons to get vaccinated through a one-stop service covering a health talk, medical consultation and vaccination. Around 150 people took part in the COVID-19 vaccination event for the elderly in Kwun Tong District at Kai Yip Community Hall. After the event, designated vehicles transferred residents who opted for the Sinovac or the BioNTech vaccines to the Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) at Kowloon Bay Sports Centre or Hiu Kwong Street Sports Centre respectively for vaccination. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 vaccination event for the elderly in Tsuen Wan District at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre attracted around 140 participants. The Government's outreach vaccination team provided a vaccination service to the participants who opted for the Sinovac vaccine at a temporary vaccination area specially set up at the Sports Centre. Those who opted for the BioNTech vaccine were taken by pre-arranged transport to the CVC at Tsuen King Circuit Sports Centre for vaccination. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, attended the events to support the elderly persons to get vaccinated, and expressed gratitude to organisations and leaders in the community for their assistance in the promotion of vaccination for the elderly. Apart from the support from the elderly, he said that the successful implementation of a one-stop vaccination service for the elderly in the community hinged on the support of local organisations, volunteers and volunteer healthcare workers. So far, five District Offices have organised COVID-19 vaccination events for the elderly in Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong, Central and Western District, Kwai Tsing and Sha Tin. The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health 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. All eligible persons who want to receive COVID-19 vaccination can collect same-day tickets from 21 CVCs under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme so that they can get vaccinated in a CVC at a designated time slot on the day of distribution without prior booking.
Government welcomes Finance Committee's approval of recommendations in the Report on the Grade Structure Review for the Disciplined Services Grades
24.9.2021

The Finance Committee (FC) of the Legislative Council (LegCo) today (September 24) approved the recommendations on salary and increment made by the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCDS) and the Standing Committee on Directorate Salaries and Conditions of Service (SDCS) in the Report on the Grade Structure Review for the Disciplined Services (the Report). The Government welcomes the decision and hopes that with the implementation of the recommendations, the grade structures and remuneration of the disciplined services will continue to be effective in attracting and retaining talent. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, "The last grade structure review (GSR) for the disciplined services was completed in 2008. Since then, there have been significant changes in the social and economic environment of Hong Kong. The spate of social unrest and violent events in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic together with the responsibilities for safeguarding national security have also increased significantly the workload and pressure of the disciplined services. The recommendations put forward in this GSR for the disciplined services, as well as the support from the LegCo for these recommendations are a manifestation of the full recognition by the Government and various sectors of the community of the dedication and determination of disciplined services colleagues. "The Government takes this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to the SCDS and the SDCS for their efforts in completing the GSR, as well as all the stakeholders for their valuable input," he said. The Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-Council) decided to conduct a GSR for the disciplined services in October 2018 to ensure that the grade structures and remuneration of the disciplined services were still effective in attracting and retaining talent under the current social environment as well as the job nature, responsibilities and workload of the disciplined services. The SCDS submitted the Report to the Chief Executive on June 23, 2021. The CE-in-Council decided to accept in full the recommendations made in the Report on August 10, 2021. Following the FC's approval today, the recommendations on salary and increment, as well as the normal conversion arrangement for serving staff in the affected ranks, should be implemented with effect from the first day of the month of approval by the FC, i.e. September 1, 2021.
Outreach team to provide COVID-19 vaccination service at Shek Lei Estate for three consecutive days (with photos)
21.9.2021

The Government's outreach vaccination team will provide a COVID-19 vaccination service at Shek Lei Community Hall for three consecutive days from Thursday to Saturday (September 23 to 25) from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm for residents of the district, in particular elderly persons, to receive Sinovac vaccination. As today (September 21) is the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, distributed leaflets at Shek Lei Shopping Centre and paid a home visit to a singleton elderly person living in Shek Lei Estate (II). He appealed people to actively participate in the outreach vaccination service starting on Thursday, so as to protect themselves and others and build together a protective shield in the community. "Reaching out to the community and focusing on the elderly are the priorities of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme at this stage. We would also like to learn more about the elderly persons' thoughts and, most importantly, provide services that can meet the users' needs," Mr Nip said. "We are actively promoting vaccination through outreach services at the district level. In addition to providing a one-stop service covering talks on vaccine information, health consultation and on-site vaccination at the district level, we will also organise vaccination activities at shopping malls and housing estates so as to further assist members of the public, in particular elderly persons who usually have activities in places close to their homes, to 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 dying should they get infected. The Government appealed to persons who are not yet vaccinated, in particular the elderly, to grasp the opportunity to get vaccinated before the winter influenza season arrives. This is the best way to protect oneself under the current epidemic. The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health recommends 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. Shek Lei Community Hall is located at 2 Tai Pak Tin Street, Kwai Chung. Residents of Kwai Tsing District can contact the Kwai Tsing District Office at 4647 6097 for enquiries.
Elderly people in Sha Tin District participate in COVID-19 vaccination day (with photos)
20.9.2021

More than 360 people in Sha Tin District, comprising elderly persons and other residents, participated in a health talk and COVID-19 vaccination event for the elderly at Lee On Community Services Complex in Ma On Shan today (September 20). They were provided with a more convenient way to receive vaccination through a one-stop service covering a health talk, medical consultation and vaccination. The Government's outreach vaccination team provided the vaccination service to the elderly persons who opted for the BioNTech vaccine at the Community Services Complex. Arrangements were also made for those who opted for the Sinovac vaccine to visit the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre for vaccination. Vaccination walk-in service was provided on-site to enable nearby members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible. Attending the event to show support for the elderly persons and other residents to get vaccinated, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, "Elderly persons are the group of persons that should receive vaccination immediately in view of the comparatively higher risk of infected elderly people falling seriously ill and dying. The current priority of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is to provide convenient vaccination services at places with easy access for elderly persons. "Both COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong are safe and highly effective in protecting against severe disease and death from COVID-19 infection. To take care of ourselves and our family members, we all have to understand the importance and urgency of receiving COVID-19 vaccination. Each and every one of us has to do our part to encourage more persons to get vaccinated in order to build a protective shield in the community." Mr Nip expressed his gratitude to the volunteer healthcare workers for supporting today's event, as well as the medical team and administrative support staff of the CVC at Yau Oi Sports Centre for providing the outreach service. Today's activity was organised by the Sha Tin District Office, co-organised by the Sha Tin District Social Welfare Office of the Social Welfare Department and supported by New Territories East Cluster of the Hospital Authority, CUHK Medical Centre and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
Government supports elderly vaccination event in Eastern District (with photos)
18.9.2021

One hundred and seventy people, comprising users of elderly services of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in Eastern District and their family members, participated in a vaccination activity at Fong Shu Chuen Social Service Building in Shau Kei Wan today (September 18). The Chair Professor of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, gave a briefing on COVID-19 vaccines to the elderly participants. A number of volunteer doctors also provided them with on-site one-on-one medical consultation. The Government's outreach vaccination team provided the Sinovac vaccination service to the elderly at a temporary vaccination area in the building. Those who opted for the BioNTech vaccine were assisted by staff to make arrangements for vaccination. Attending the event with the Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Mr Kazaf Tam, to encourage more elderly persons to get vaccinated, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, "Both COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong are highly effective in protecting against severe diseases and death from COVID-19 infection. In view of the threat posed by mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility, members of the public, in particular the elderly, should protect themselves by getting vaccinated. There are misconceptions that it is not necessary to get vaccinated if people do not go out very often and it suffices for the younger generation to get vaccinated. As the winter influenza season is approaching, I appeal to the elderly to grasp the opportunity to receive COVID-19 vaccines immediately. "Reaching out to the community and focusing on the elderly are the priorities of the vaccination programme at this stage. I am grateful to Professor Yuen for giving a detailed briefing on COVID-19 vaccination to elderly persons. I hope that the elderly participants can tell their family members and other elderly persons what they have learned about COVID-19 vaccines today and share their own vaccination experience. If members of the public have family members who are elderly and are not vaccinated, please share the information on the COVID-19 vaccines with them and encourage them to receive vaccination. Each and every one of us in the community has to do our part to promote vaccination so as to attain a vaccination rate of 70 per cent or more." Experts recommend that all elderly persons who have previously received influenza vaccines can safely receive COVID-19 vaccines. If they have chronic diseases, they should get vaccinated as soon as possible for protection while their condition is stable. ãã Mr Nip expressed his gratitude to the volunteer healthcare workers, and the medical team and administrative support staff of the Community Vaccination Centre at Tin Fai Road Sports Centre, for providing the outreach service today.