Category: lifestyle

Very Hot Weather Warnings – But No Water

In recent weeks as temperatures have risen the government has issued almost daily Very Hot Weather Warnings.

Among the obvious, but welcome hot weather reminders is ‘Drink plenty of water’ which is sensible advice – except that the LCSD has closed all the public drinking fountains.

Far more people are likely to be injured or suffer from the heat than catch Covid-19 from the metal surface of a water fountain.

Hot Weather Warning

The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

To prevent heatstroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

InTaste a New Food Stand in Tuen Mun

Newly opened in Orchid Court, Tuen Mun is 燃味棧 InTaste a small takeaway food stand serving burritos, hotdogs and other tasty snacks.

This is the third iteration of InTaste for owner Kelvin Chui and features an expanded menu with the addition of hot dogs and assorted snacks to the menu. Portion sizes are good and served in as environmentally friendly packaging as possible.

Delivery is coming soon.

燃味棧 InTaste
Shop 5, Orchid Court, 14 Yan Oi Tong Circuit, Tuen Mun
Tel: 9303 6665
Open: 11:30am – 9:30pm

Antibody Tests

Today (26 June), the Government announced a list of private medical laboratories for conducting recognised antibody tests.

Antibody tests will be used by the HK Government as part of administering compulsory quarantine duration requirements for inbound travellers who have been fully vaccinated and tested positive for antibodies.

Antibody tests must fulfil the following criteria:
(1) The test is IgG/total antibody test against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein/surrogate neutralising antibody test;
(2) The test is done by a recognised medical laboratory listed in Annex;
(3) The test is done within three months (based on specimen collection date);
(4) Laboratories in Group A (private medical laboratories with the test area of “virology–serology” accredited under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS)) may use any validated antibody testing platforms;
(5) Laboratories in Group B (accredited private medical laboratories recognised by the Hong Kong Government’s Laboratory Recognition Scheme without the “virology–serology” accreditation) may only use specified antibody testing platforms (currently include antibody testing platforms in use by the Hospital Authority); and
(6) The test result must be reported in the prescribed format in paper form or in the electronic form on the Government system to be rolled out separately.

The currently recognised antibody tests will be done by serology testing using blood drawn from veins. The decision to receive serology testing is completely voluntary and it is a self-paid arrangement.

Antibody tests will be introduced in two parts:
Phase 1, starting from 30 June, HongKongers may take a recognised antibody test before departing Hong Kong. The documentary proof of such will be recognised to administer the compulsory quarantine arrangements upon returning to Hong Kong.

Phase 2 starting later in July will offer self-paid antibody tests for inbound travellers at the airport – subject to the implementation progress and epidemic developments.

Updated Quarantine Requirements

As announced on 21 June the duration of compulsory quarantine for inbound travellers could be adjusted to seven days of quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel plus seven days of self-monitoring with multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid tests if they meet all the following three criteria:

(1) Fully vaccinated with a vaccination record (Note);
(2) Obtained a negative nucleic acid test result during “test-and-hold” arrangement upon arrival at Hong Kong; and
(3) Possess positive result proof of a recognised serology antibody test conducted within the past three months.

The purpose of checking antibodies is to show evidence of response to vaccination.

Note: Fully vaccinated means the suggested dosage has been administered in accordance with the relevant guidelines of a COVID-19 vaccination course at least 14 days prior to arrival in Hong Kong. The relevant vaccines administered should be those included on the List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/list_of_recognised_covid19_vaccines.pdf). Travellers who have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection will be required to receive one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated.

[gview file=”https://www.bcmagazine.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/antibody-test-june-2021.pdf”]

Quarantine Reduced to 7 Days for Vaccinated Arrivals to Hong Kong

The Government announced today (21 June) that the quarantine requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong who have received COVID-19 vaccination will be adjusted in phases from 30 June. Except for those who had stayed in extremely high-risk or very high-risk places (Group A1 and A2 specified places), fully vaccinated persons with a positive result of serology testing for antibodies will be subject to a further shortened compulsory quarantine period of seven days upon arrival.

Non-Hong Kong Residents

Additionally, the restriction from entry to Hong Kong will be relaxed for fully vaccinated non-Hong Kong residents who have a vaccination record and who have only stayed in Group B specified places, Group C specified places or Taiwan to enter Hong Kong.

Such non-Hong Kong residents have to comply with the same quarantine and nucleic acid testing requirements as those applicable to Hong Kong residents, including a seven-day shortened compulsory quarantine period for those who possess positive result proof of a recognised serology antibody test conducted within the past three months.

Fully Vaccinated

Fully vaccinated means complying with these three criteria

  1. Fully vaccinated with a vaccination record (14 days after second dose);
  2. Obtained a negative nucleic acid test result during “test-and-hold” upon arrival at Hong Kong; and
  3. Possess positive result proof of a recognised serology antibody test conducted within the past three months (Note 2).

Overseas places outside China have been categorised under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) into extremely high-risk Group A1 specified places, very high-risk Group A2 specified places, high-risk Group B specified places, medium-risk Group C specified places, and low-risk Group D specified places.

Low-risk Group D

Under the new arrangements, persons who have stayed in low-risk Group D specified places, and who have been fully vaccinated, will be subject to compulsory quarantine in designated quarantine hotels for seven days (14 days unvaccinated). They will subsequently be required to self-monitor for seven days and undergo compulsory testing on the 12th day of their arrival at Hong Kong.

Group D: Australia, New Zealand

Medium-risk Group C, High-risk Group B

For persons who have stayed in medium-risk Group C specified places and high-risk Group B specified places, and who have been fully vaccinated, they will be subject to compulsory quarantine in designated quarantine hotels for 7 days vaccinated, 14 days unvaccinated, and subsequently, be required to self-monitor for seven days and undergo compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th day of their arrival at Hong Kong.

Group B: Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea,  Malaysia, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam

Group C: All places except China which are not Group A1, Group A2, Group B or Group D specified places *China means the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan

Extremely High-risk Group A1, Very High-risk Group A2

As for extremely high-risk Group A1 specified places and very high-risk Group A2 specified places, the boarding, quarantine, and testing arrangements will remain unchanged.

Groups A1, A2: Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Ireland, Indonesia

Details on the grouping of specified places and their respective boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.

$5,000 Covid Vouchers

The government has announced that the first tranche of $5,000 Covid vouchers will be distributed from 1 August, 2021.

Registration for the ‘vouchers ‘will open on 4 July with people able to sign up online or via the government’s iAM Smart app. Paper registration is available, but you’ll have to wait until 1 September for your first payment.

Only adult permanent SAR residents and ‘new arrivals’ will be eligible and applicants will have to make a declaration that they are currently living in Hong Kong.

Octopus Card users will first receive HK$2,000, another HK$2,000 two months later, and then HK$1,000 several weeks after that. The vouchers can be collected by using Octopus card readers at MTR stations or in shops, or via the card’s app.

People who receive the vouchers via their AlipayHK, Tap & Go or WeChat Pay HK digital wallets will first get HK$2,000 and then HK$3,000 two months later.

www.consumptionvoucher.gov.hk

New MCL Citygate Theatre in Tung Chung Opens

A new MCL Citygate Theatre opens in Tung Chung today. The four-screen complex has 673 seats and features as MCL puts it “the latest and best in cinema experience”. Each auditorium is equipped with 4K Laser projectors and Dolby 7.1 surround sound audio. Opening ticket prices are $80

MCL Citygate Theatre
6/F, 20 Tat Tung Road,
Tung Chung,
Hong Kong

 

Two Extra Hotels Added to Fourth Cycle Quarantine Hotels

On the 3 June the HK Government, to help with increased demand, added two extra hotels to the list of designated Hong Kong quarantine hotels for the period 22 June – 20 August 2021 (fourth cycle) taking the total available to 33.

The two new hotels are Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay and Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers.

The list of designated hotels in the fourth cycle and related details such as room rates have been uploaded to www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/designated-hotel.html

Or download the pdf here

There is an excellent google docs form here about the various hotels including room prices, contact details, restrictions,

Central and Western District
1. Best Western Plus Hotel Hong Kong
2. CM+ Hotels & Serviced Apartments
3. Grand City Hotel
4. JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La
5. Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong
6. One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences
7. Ramada Hong Kong Harbour View
8. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental

Hong Kong Eastern District
1. Ramada Hong Kong Grand View

Islands District
1. Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung
2. Regal Airport Hotel

Kowloon City District
1. Bridal Tea House Hotel Hung Hom Gillies Avenue South
2. iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel
3. Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
4. Metropark Hotel Kowloon Hong Kong
5. Regal Oriental Hotel

Kwai Tsing District
1. Dorsett Tsuen Wan

Hong Kong Southern District
1. Nina Hotel Island South (Formerly L’hotel Island South)
2. Ovolo Southside

Tsuen Wan District
1. Silka Far East Hotel Hong Kong

Wan Chai District
1. Best Western Hotel Causeway Bay
2. Dorsett Wanchai Hong Kong
3. Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island
4. Mira Moon Hotel
5. Vela Boutique Hotel
6. Eco Tree Hotel Causeway Bay
7. Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay

Wong Tai Sin District
1. Pentahotel Hong Kong

Kowloon Yau Tsim Mong District
1. Bridal Tea House Hotel Yau Ma Tei Wing Sing Lane
2. Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong
3. Ramada Hong Kong Grand
4. Silka Seaview Hotel Hong Kong
5. Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers

Lunar Eclipse

The lunar eclipse on Wednesday 26 May was beautiful if often obscured by clouds.

Here’s a video of the eclipse from the HK Observatory if you missed it…. Skip through to minute 35.

https://youtu.be/c2b_h9Ufaxw

The next lunar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will be a partial lunar eclipse on 19 November, 2021.