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Consumption Vouchers Registration Closes 14 August

Registration for the Consumption Voucher Scheme will close this Saturday, 14 August.

Each eligible person can only register once and duplicate registrations will not be processed.

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.

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.

People who completed their registration on or after 18 July, and those who submitted paper registration forms, will receive the first $2,000 tranche of consumption vouchers on 1 September.

If you have not applied, registration closes on 14 August www.consumptionvoucher.gov.hk

Self-paid Serology Antibody Testing Service at Airport

The Government has announced the commencement of a self-paid serology antibody testing service at the airport from 18 August for people arriving in Hong Kong. No prices have yet been confirmed.

Fully vaccinated people arriving in Hong Kong who do not possess a positive result proof of a recognised serology antibody test can choose to undergo a self-paid serology antibody test at the airport’s Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) during “test and hold”. The relevant arrangement will be as follows:
(a) Fully vaccinated persons who have stayed in the new Group B specified places will still have to abide by the following relevant boarding requirements, otherwise they will not be able to board flights for Hong Kong:
(i) present a recognised vaccination record,
(ii) present a negative result proof of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 conducted within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft, and
(iii) present confirmation in English or Chinese of room reservation in a DQH in Hong Kong for no less than 14 nights starting from the day of the arrival of the relevant traveller at Hong Kong;
(b) before departure, relevant persons should register and pay for the test on the website of the self-paid serology antibody testing service provider, accessible via a link to be uploaded on the Government’s COVID-19 thematic website (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html);
(c) upon arrival, follow instructions to undergo “test-and-hold” at TSCC;
(d) after specimen collection for the nucleic acid test under “test-and-hold” and on receipt of the relevant quarantine order, persons arriving at Hong Kong who choose to undergo a self-paid serology antibody test at the airport can follow directions to undergo the test by venous blood sampling; and
(e) after undergoing venous blood sampling, the relevant person can leave the airport on confirmation of a negative nucleic acid test result by Government-arranged designated transport to undergo compulsory quarantine in DQHs.

The result of the serology antibody test will be available in about 2 days. If the result is positive, the Department of Health will contact the relevant passengers through their DQHs to shorten their compulsory quarantine period to 7 days. The relevant persons can then arrange with DQHs on refunding the cost of the remaining 7 nights of room reservation.

Passengers still have to undergo two nucleic acid tests during the 7-day compulsory quarantine period, followed by a 7-day self-monitoring period as well as compulsory testing on the 9th, 12th, 16th and 19th days of arrival at Hong Kong.

“Persons who choose to undergo self-paid serology antibody testing at the airport will still be required to present at boarding the confirmation of a room reservation of no less than 14 nights in a DQH in Hong Kong, or they will not be allowed to board flights for Hong Kong. The self-paid serology antibody testing service is provided by private testing institutions. Details can be checked with the institutions directly. Persons arriving at Hong Kong should endeavour to reserve and pay for the serology antibody test before departure, in order to ensure a smooth arrival process,” a Government spokesman reminded.

Taiwan Won’t Attend Hong Kong’s Gay Games in 2022 Fearing Security Law

Taiwan will not send a team to next year’s Gay Games in Hong Kong because of fears their athletes and staff could be arrested if they wave the island’s flag or use its name.

The revelation means the only place in Asia to have legalised same-sex marriage will not be at the continent’s first-ever Gay Games.

“We have decided not to send a national delegation as we don’t expect to be able join as Taiwan and to ensure personal safety of the athletes,” Yang Chih-chun, president of the Taiwan Gay Sports and Movement Association (TGSMA), told AFP.

Yang said his organisation, a formal member of the Federation of Gay Games, would assist any Taiwanese player who wanted to attend in a personal capacity.

“But we won’t actively encourage individual participation since there’s no guarantee of a player’s personal safety because under Hong Kong’s national security law, arrests can be made under any excuse,” he said. Yang added that he feared athletes could easily “cross the red line” if they spoke their minds.

In a statement, the Gay Games said it would follow the convention of Taiwan being called either “Chinese Taipei” or “Taiwan region”.

Athletes from Taiwan and the TGSMA were welcome to attend, organisers said, adding: “We are strictly non-partisan and non-political, and we ask all participants and visitors to respect and observe local laws and customs during their stay in Hong Kong.”

additional reporting: AFP

Grace Lau Mo Sheung Wins Bronze in Karate!

Grace Lau Mo Sheung wins the first-ever Olympic medal awarded in karate. And with the sport dropped for Paris 2024 likely one of only four ever awarded.

Karate is making its first appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, with men and women competing in kata (forms) and kumite (sparring) events at the Nippon Budokan.

Lau’s bronze medal fight in the Kata against Turkey’s Dilara Bozan was a tight affair, as both faced off against a virtual opponent, finishing 26.94 – 26.52.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/Grace-Lau-Mo-Sheung-Wins-Bronze-in-Karate/i-FDzXjZg

What is Kata?

Kata are demonstrations of forms consisting of a series of offensive and defensive movements targeting a virtual opponent. Competitors choose the kata they will demonstrate from 102 that are recognised by the World Karate Federation. A point-based system was adopted in January 2019 whereby the scores awarded by three of the seven judges are added then applied to a separate calculation formula to determine the winner.

Key factors include the strength, speed, rhythm, balance and power of strikes and kicks; the solidity, clarity and force of movements; and the proper expression of the meaning of each technique with beautiful, flowing motion.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/Grace-Lau-Mo-Sheung-Wins-Bronze-in-Karate/i-7jcVzHg

Lee Wai Sze Wins Second Sprint Bronze

After what she must have found a frustrating and disappointing Olympics Sarah Lee Wai Sze’s beaming smile returned on the last day of the Tokyo2020 games as she won the sprint bronze medal.

After crashing out of the Kirin and not finding her form in the opening rounds of the sprint Lee came good at the end comprehensively beating the current World Champion Germany’s Emma Hinze 2-0.

In winning bronze at Tokyo2020 Lee becomes, after her bronze London2012, the first-ever Hong Kong athlete to win medals at two Olympic games! What an amazing achievement, Chapeau!

Illustration: Man Tsang

Graphic: Surreal HK

Hong Kong Sevens 2021 Cancelled

World Rugby and the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) have cancelled the Hong Kong Sevens, rescheduled for 5-7 November, for the second year in a row.

The decision according to World Rugby, which seems understandable but also strange since the Singapore 7s will go ahead, was made after discussion with the HKRU and relevant Hong Kong government departments was based on the uncertainty regarding travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.

The date for the 2022 Hong Kong Sevens has been set for 1-3 April, just 239 days to go until rugby sevens action returns to its famous home.

Additional reporting, images: World Rugby

Macao Temporarily Removed From Return2hk Scheme

The Government announced today (August 3) that in the light of the latest epidemic development in Macao, Macao will be included on the List of At-risk Places Temporarily Inapplicable under the Return2hk Scheme (List of At-risk Places) from 4 August.

The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced today that one imported case and three imported-related cases have been confirmed. According to the assessment by Macao’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre, the risk of local transmission and outbreak of COVID-19 was extremely high. The Chief Executive of the Macao SAR announced that Macao has entered a state of immediate prevention, with effect from 3.30pm today. Starting from the same time, a proof of negative nucleic acid test result obtained within 24 hours is necessary for departure from Macao.

Taking into consideration Macao’s local epidemic development and the relevant announcement, the HK Government will include Macao on the List of At-risk Places from 4 August. Persons who have stayed in Macao or any other places on the List of At-risk Places on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or during the 14 days before that day will not be eligible to return to Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme. They will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at home, and have to undergo compulsory testing on the third, the seventh and the 12th days of arrival at Hong Kong during quarantine, as well as on the 16th and 19th days of arrival at Hong Kong after the completion of quarantine.

The arrangements of shortened quarantine period to seven days for fully vaccinated persons will also not be applicable.

New Quarantine Hotel List Announced: 1 September – 30 November, 2021

An updated list of 37 designated Hong Kong quarantine hotels for the period 1 September – 30 November 2021 (fifth cycle) has been released.

The list of designated hotels in the fifth 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.

New hotels for this cycle are: Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong, Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong, Empire Hotel Causeway Bay, Empire Prestige Causeway Bay.

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
9. Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong
10. Ovolo Central

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
8. Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong
9. Empire Hotel Causeway Bay
10. Empire Prestige 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