News Release - October 2020

Specifications under Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation to be gazetted
October 27, 2020 - In view of the developments of the COVID-19 epidemic situation worldwide and in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will gazette today (October 27) the latest specifications to include Belgium as a specified place under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) starting from November 3 to more effectively combat the epidemic.

External merchandise trade statistics for September 2020
October 27, 2020 - The Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government released today the external merchandise trade statistics for September 2020. In September 2020, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 9.1% and 3.4% respectively.

Government continues to relax social distancing measures under Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance in a gradual and orderly manner
October 27, 2020 - Having regard to the development of the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will gazette directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I) today (October 27) to continue to relax social distancing measures in a gradual and orderly manner. The measures will take effect at 0.00am on October 30 for a period of seven days till November 5.

Hong Kong legal practitioners allowed to practice in the Mainland upon passing examination
October 23, 2020 - The Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomed the document released by the General Office of the State Council on October 22, containing guidelines on the pilot program for Hong Kong and Macao legal practitioners to obtain Mainland practice qualifications and to practice law in the nine Pearl River Delta municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The document specified the requirements for the legal professional qualifying examination, the scope of business and more. It would enable the expansion of professional service by the local practicing solicitors and barristers in the Greater Bay Area after obtaining their Mainland practice qualifications.

Consumer Price Indices for September 2020
October 22, 2020 - The Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government released today the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for September 2020.

International study ranks Hong Kong students among world’s best in global competence
October 22, 2020 - The Education Bureau (EDB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said that Hong Kong students’ performance was among the world’s best in terms of cognitive understanding, knowledge and skills in the Global Competence (GC) domain in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018.

Government to gazette latest legislative amendments, directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance
October 20, 2020 - Having regard to the development of the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will gazette today the latest legislative amendments, directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) to continue to relax social distancing measures in a gradual and orderly manner.

Unemployment rises to 6.4%
October 20, 2020 - According to the latest labor force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for July - September 2020) released today by the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 6.1% in June - August 2020 to 6.4% in July - September 2020. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8% in the two periods.

Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in August 2020
October 19, 2020 - Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for August 2020 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

Hong Kong residents born in 1970, 1971 or 1972 to apply for new smart identity cards
October 19, 2020 - The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today that Hong Kong residents born in 1970, 1971 or 1972 should apply for a new smart identity card in person at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (SIDCC) from November 2, 2020 (Monday), to April 30, 2021 (Friday). The SIDCCs are open from Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 10pm (except public holidays).

SFETO celebrates Hong Kong cinema at CAAMFest Forward
October 16, 2020 - Five Hong Kong movies are in the line-up of CAAMFest Forward, a newly reimagined and mostly virtual film festival presented by the San Francisco-based Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). The festival, which is running from October 14 to 18, includes a drive-in experience and an on-demand channel. Close to 50 films are available on demand.

Specifications under Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation to be gazetted
October 16, 2020 - In view of the developments of the COVID-19 epidemic situation worldwide and in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will gazette today (October 16) the latest specifications to include France and Russia as specified places under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) starting from October 26 to more effectively combat the epidemic.

Hong Kong and Singapore reach in-principle agreement to establish bilateral Air Travel Bubble
October 15, 2020 - Hong Kong and Singapore have reached an in-principle agreement to establish a bilateral Air Travel Bubble (ATB). This milestone arrangement will help revive cross-border air travel between the two aviation hubs, in a safe and progressive way.

Government extends social distancing measures under Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance
October 13, 2020 - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today that the social distancing measures currently in force will be maintained and the directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I) will be gazetted tomorrow (October 14).  The above-mentioned measures will take effect at 0.00am on October 16 for a period of seven days till October 22.

Chief Executive to lead delegation to attend celebration of 40th anniversary of establishment of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in Shenzhen
October 12, 2020 - Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will lead a delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and depart for Shenzhen in the afternoon today to attend the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on Wednesday (October 14).

Delivery date of Policy Address postponed
October 12, 2020 - Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, announced at a media session today that the 2020 Policy Address scheduled for release on Wednesday (October 14) will be postponed. Detailed arrangements will be announced in due course.

Successful completion of community treatment facility expansion at AsiaWorld-Expo
October 9, 2020 - The community treatment facility (CTF) expansion at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) has successfully completed. A ceremony was conducted today during which the facility was officially handed over to the Hospital Authority (HA).

Foreign currency reserves at US$453.3 billion
October 8, 2020 - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today that the official foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong amounted to US$453.3 billion as at the end of September 2020, compared with US$449.9 billion at end-August 2020.

Government promulgates Hong Kong’s first viral hepatitis action plan
October 8, 2020 - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today the Hong Kong Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2020 – 2024 (the Action Plan) to achieve the goal outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate the major public health threat posed by viral hepatitis by 2030, and to formulate an overall strategy and specific action plan to reduce the transmission of viral hepatitis and lower the morbidity and mortality rate.

Additional transparency measures to enhance understanding of court decisions and complaints
October 8, 2020 - The Judiciary today announced additional transparency measures to enhance public understanding about the reasoning of court decisions as well as complaints against judicial conduct. 

Secretary for Food and Health attends WHO Western Pacific regional meeting
October 6, 2020 - Hong Kong’s Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today attended the virtual meeting of the 71st session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific.

Government extends social distancing measures under Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance
October 6, 2020 - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will gazette directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I) today (October 6) to largely maintain the social distancing measures currently in place.  These measures will take effect at 0.00am on October 9 for a period of seven days till October 15.

Government launches iBond
October 5, 2020 - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today the launch of the 2020 inflation-linked retail bond, or iBond, under the retail part of the Government Bond Programme for subscription by Hong Kong residents.

Appointment of non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal
October 5, 2020 - The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, today welcomed the acceptance by the Chief Executive of the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on the appointment of the Right Honourable Lord Patrick Hodge (Lord Hodge) as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal. The Chief Justice noted that the Government would be seeking the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended appointment.

Senior judicial appointment: non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal
October 5, 2020 - Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of the Right Honourable Lord Patrick Hodge (Lord Hodge) as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal. Subject to the endorsement of the Legislative Council, the Chief Executive will make the appointment under Article 88 of the Basic Law.

HKSAR Government strongly deplores and opposes US statement
October 4, 2020 - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today strongly deplored and opposed the statement made by the US Department of State on October 3 (local time) regarding the arrests made by the Hong Kong Police on October 1.

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