Category: February

Flight Ban Ends 1 April 2022, Quarantine Rules Revised

With over 50% of Hong Kong’s population infected or recovering from Covid. What need is there for hotel quarantine (apart from hotel profits) unless a person fails a PCR test on arrival?

With effect from 1 April, the “flight ban” on the nine countries (Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) will be lifted.

Quarantine arrangements, under Cap. 599E, for all arrivals to be rationalised as follows:
Only Hong Kong Residents who are fully vaccinated can board a flight for Hong Kong.

A negative PCR-based nucleic acid test, taken within 48 hours of departure.

Confirmation of room reservation in a Designated Quarantine Hotel (DQH) for at least 7 nights.

“Test and hold” upon arrival in Hong Kong, where a rapid PCR-based nucleic acid test will be conducted; upon a negative test result, a 14-day Quarantine Order will be issued and designated transport taken to go to the DQH.

During the quarantine period, daily RATs will be conducted and PCR-based nucleic acid tests on Day 5 and (if still in the DQH) on Day 12.

If the results of Day 5 PCR-based nucleic acid test and Day 6 and 7 RATs are all negative, early discharge from the DQH will be allowed

If early discharge is opted for: self-monitoring for 7 days, with a PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted at a community testing centre on Day 12.

Otherwise: a PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted in the DQH on Day 12, followed by discharge from the DQH on Day 14 upon a negative result

If the result of the PCR-based nucleic acid test during “test and hold”, Day 5 or 12 PCR based nucleic acid test or daily RAT is positive, transfer to a community isolation hotel will be arranged with an Isolation Order issued.

The isolation and discharge arrangements will be the same as those for local cases in isolation, i.e. completion of isolation for leading a normal life upon Day 6 and 7 RAT negative results

The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk

Flight Ban Extended Until 20 April 2022

The Hong Kong Government has announced that the flight suspension for Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended to 20 April 2022.

All passenger flights from the nine countries are banned from landing in Hong Kong!

Anyone who has stayed in these countries for more than two hours within 14 days of their planned arrival will be prohibited from boarding any flight to Hong Kong.

covid-19-flight-ban-Hong-Kong

The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk

Free Covid Taxi

The concept of a free ‘Covid Taxi’ to transport people to their testing appointments at clinics across the city – thus keeping them off public transport – is quite innovative.

BUT, sadly as with most of the government’s initiatives – the devil is in the details. Participating taxies are only required to fully disinfect their passenger compartment ONCE a day!

The potential for cross-infection is probably far higher than taking a bus or the MTR… No attempt has been made to separate the driver from passengers – why not install a plastic sheet to separate the passenger compartment from the driver? No payment is needed and taxi’s need to be booked in advance, so the destination is already known to the driver.

Free ‘covid taxis’ will be available from 18 February and patients with appointments can book on www.designatedtaxihk.com or call 3693 4770 (8am to 10pm). To make a booking you need to provide: name, contact number, appointment time, designated clinic, pick-up location.

關勁松的Astrology Release New Single 關你屁事

Indie band 關勁松的Astrology have released a new track 關你屁事, inspired by the covid created emptiness of Hong Kong’s usually dynamic streets.

Amidst the fuzzy guitars, 關你屁事 also reflects on how the mandatory facemasks have impacted people’s love life…

關你屁事 is available on iTunes, KKbox, JOOX etc from 14 February.

https://youtu.be/-FOpWEhdYMw

Egg Custard Buns @ Red Bean 紅豆烘焙

紅豆烘焙 Red Bean bakery in Mongkok launched their new take on an egg tart a few weeks ago but the lines were massive and supply sold out quickly… Today however bc managed to grab one.

The $15 egg custard bun, released daily at 3pm, is basically a hollowed-out bread roll filled with egg custard. The texture of the bun makes a nice contrast to the rich creamy egg custard – thankfully not excessively sweet – and it’s really rather nice hot or cold!

There are several versions including chocolate and a ‘creme brulee’ style with burnt sugar on top.

Red Bean Bakery: Shop A2-A3, G/F, Wah May Building, 520A-522 Shanghai Street, Mongkok – is on the corner of Shanghai and Shantung Streets, near Langham Place.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220211-Egg-Custard-Buns-in-Mongkok/i-2784S7T

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220211-Egg-Custard-Buns-in-Mongkok/i-n65p7ZX

Smoke in Half Note Release Live Session Video

Local band Smoke in Half Note has released a video, produced by 2Hz Resonance, of their recent live session at Cult Key.

Formed in 2014 @smokeinhalfnote are known for their reverb-swamped sometimes twangy experimental sound that paints sonic ‘pictures’ for the audience to enjoy.

If you enjoy the video, the bands first album One to Be Whole is on Apple music and physical copies can be bought at Infree Records.

https://youtu.be/gFhjzPrjchE

$2 Concession Fare Scheme Extended

The Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme) will be extended to cover trams as well as red minibus and kaito routes from 27 February 2022.

$2 Concession Fare Scheme Extended45 red minibus routes and 11 kaito routes have been approved by Transport Department to join the Scheme. For passenger ease, the $2 logo will be displayed prominently and atop the Octopus readers of the eligible routes – download the list here.

HKSAR Government Responds to Media Freedom Coalition Statement

Today 9 February, the Hong Kong Government published a response to a statement from the Media Freedom Coalition about freedom of the press in Hong Kong. Here is the press release in full.

“HKSAR Government strongly opposes misleading and baseless allegations by foreign entities on freedoms of the press and speech in Hong Kong.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (February 9) strongly condemned a totally erroneous statement issued by the United Kingdom Government in the name of a number of foreign entities under the so-called “Media Freedom Coalition” concerning the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

A spokesperson for the HKSAR Government said, “The HKSAR is proud of its unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, which underpin the city’s success as an international business and financial centre. Under Article 25 of the Basic Law, all Hong Kong residents shall be equal before the law. It is baseless for the signatories to the statement to make such allegations that our authorities have targeted and suppressed independent media in the HKSAR since the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

“Since the city’s reunification with the motherland, the HKSAR Government has been firmly committed to safeguarding the freedoms of the press and speech, both of which are protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. As a matter of fact, Article 4 of the Hong Kong National Security Law stipulates that such freedoms shall be protected in accordance with the law while safeguarding national security in the HKSAR.”

The spokesperson added, “Foreign countries that have in their respective jurisdictions national security legislation which is more wide-ranging than the Hong Kong National Security Law are no doubt aware that according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the exercising of the freedoms of the press and speech must comply with the restrictions of the law for reasons including protection of national security.

“We must reiterate that all law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies under the Hong Kong National Security Law, or indeed any local legislation, are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their occupation, background or political stance. The law enforcement actions taken by the HKSAR Government against Stand News adhered to such fundamental principles.

“We must also point out that the media landscape in Hong Kong is as vibrant as ever. As a case in point, a total of 209 media organisations, be they based locally, in the Mainland or overseas, are registered with the HKSAR Government News and Media Information System of the Information Services Department at present, showing an increase after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. As always, the media can exercise their right to monitor the HKSAR Government’s work, and their freedom of commenting on or even criticising government policies remains uninhibited as long as this is not in violation of the law.

“We express our deep regret and must rebuke those foreign entities for signing a ‘media freedom-related’ statement that contained no more than the usual fact-twisting and opinionated attacks against the Hong Kong National Security Law since its promulgation for implementation in the HKSAR upon the passage by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on June 30, 2020. Contrary to their allegations, the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has restored stability in society and the people of Hong Kong are no longer threatened or intimidated by acts or activities endangering national security or their everyday life.”