Category: November

Twenty Second Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival

After going online last year the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival (HKJFF) returns to theatres for its 22nd year.

The HKJFF will screen 32 films, documentaries and shorts, over 8 days and nights from 13-21 November at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center in Admiralty and the Golden Scene Cinema in Kennedy Town.

Opening the festival is Mano Khalil‘s Neighbours a film full of humour and satire based on the experiences of Sero, a Kurdish boy dealing with border wars and anti-Zionist rhetoric, in 1982 Syria.

In 2021 the HKJFF teams up with the Hong Kong French Film Festival on the 18 November at Golden Scene cinema for a night of French films including Aurélie Saada’s Rose, and Sandrine Kiberlain‘s A Radiant Girl (Une fille qui va bien).

The Auschwitz Report
The Auschwitz Report – 15 November, HKJFF

Twenty Second Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival
Date: 13-21 November, 2021
Venue: Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Golden Scene Cinema
Tickets: $100
More info: www.hkjff.org

Santa Staycation Stamps Available Today

Ignoring the National Security Law, Wuhan virus quarantine and social distancing rules Santa Claus has come to town! Hongkong Post launches it’s fourth set of Christmas stamps (previous issues were in 2002, 2007 and 2014).

The set of four stamps features Santa enjoying a short staycation – twelve days, not one less – while his new hybrid electric/reindeer sleigh is recharging. Savouring Chinese tea and dim sum, playing on the swings in a children’s playground, practising Tai Chi on the Victoria Harbour waterfront Santa finds the ‘Worlds Greatest City’ much changed before jumping on a Ding Ding to deliver presents and seasonal blessings of hope to the people of Hong Kong.

The $2 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet sees Santa savouring a Hong Kong-style Christmas feast of yum cha. On the stamp sheetlet, Santa is sharing dim sum from a cart with the homeless.

$3.7 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet, Santa and Rudolph chill out on the swings reminiscing about pre-Covid Christmas and free speech.

The $4.9 stamp has Santa Claus join his gingerbread men friends for a Tai Chi workout on the Victoria Harbour waterfront. The $4.9 stamp sheetlet has Santa and the gingerbread man enjoying a mental workout over a game of Chinese chess.

$5 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet – with his reindeer recovering from being pepper-sprayed while trying to park his sleigh in Central – has Santa taking a ding ding to finish delivering his presents…

No visit to Hong Kong is complete without a trip on the Star Ferry, Santa crosses the harbour to bring love, peace and joy to those unable to sit at home with piles of cash.

The assorted Christmas stamps and philatelic products can be bought at any post office or ordered online here

Updated Social Distancing Measures – 2 December, 2020

Today the government updated the gazetted directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) to further tighten social distancing measures.

The updated directions are effective from 00:01, 2 December for 14 days

Civil Servants:

Civil servants are to work from home. Other than those who are providing essential or emergency services everyone have to remain at home.

CE is urging all private businesses to follow in the footsteps in the government and allow staff to work from home.

Premises that need to close:

Video Game Centers
Cinema
Playgrounds
Karaokes
Swimming Pools
Mahjong Parlors

Premises allowed to remain open:

  • Gyms and exercise centers (No more than 2 people can participate in any activity)

  • Massage and beauty parlors (They must keep up with strict hygiene rules set out by the government)

Restaurants:

  • Restaurants must all close by 10pm.

  • No more than 2 persons per table (From 4 persons)

  • Restaurant capacity will be limited to 50%

Public Gatherings:

  • No more than 2 persons can gather together at any one time.

Penalties and Fines:

Government looking at increasing penalties and fines for offenses related to Cap 599.

Rugby World Cup 2021 to be Postponed

World Rugby Statement

World Rugby has made the difficult decision to recommend the postponement of Rugby World Cup 2021, scheduled to be hosted in New Zealand between 18 September-16 October, until next year. The recommendation will be considered by the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee on 8 and 9 March respectively.

While appreciating the recommendation is extremely disappointing for teams and fans, it has their interests at heart, and gives the tournament the best opportunity to be all it can be for them, all New Zealanders and the global rugby family.

The recommendation is based on the evolution of the uncertain and challenging global COVID-19 landscape. It has become clear in recent discussions with key partners including New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Government and participating unions, that, given the scale of the event and the COVID-19-related uncertainties, it is just not possible to deliver the environment for all teams to be the best that they can be on the sport’s greatest stage.

The challenges include uncertainty and the ability for teams to prepare adequately for a Rugby World Cup tournament both before and on arrival in New Zealand, and challenging global travel restrictions.

World Rugby can assure teams, New Zealanders and the global rugby family that the recommendation to postpone the tournament will help to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2021 will be all it can be next year for players, fans and the rugby family – one of the great Rugby World Cups.

Further updates will be issued following the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee meetings next week.

Image: worldrugby

Women’s Rugby Results – 28 November, 2020

Premiership

CWB Phoenix 0-37 Kowloon
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 17:00

USRC Tigers 27-21 Gai Wu Falcons
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00

HKFC Ice 0-34 Valley Black
@ HK Football Club, Kick-off: 18:15

Image: hkrugby

Mandatory Testing!

A mandatory covid-19 testing order has been issued for diners who have been to these three eateries on or after 15 November 2020.

  1. Stellar House
    3/F, Chuang’s Enterprises Building, 382 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai

  2. 8 1/2 Otto E Mezzo Bombana
    Shop 202, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Rd, Central

  3. Chuen Cheung Kui 
    Shop C & 1/F, Alliance Building, 133 Connaught Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Tests can be obtained from the Hospital Authority outpatient clinics.

Women’s Rugby Fixtures: 28 November, 2020

We give thanks to the women’s rugby community across the world.
United as one!
Support women’s rugby!

Updated Social Distancing Measures – 24 November

Today the government updated the gazetted directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) to further tighten social distancing measures.

The updated directions are effective Thursday 26 Nov at 00:00 until 2 Dec at 23:59hrs

  1. Bars must close
  2. Nightclubs must close
  3. Bathhouses must close
  4. All Live music and dancing is prohibited even at weddings etc.
  5. There must be no more than 40 persons at any type of catering venue. Maximum will be 10 tables with 4 people to a table for all banquet venues. This is applicable to all clubs and hotels too.
  6. Restaurant capacity may not cross 50% of capacity.
  7. All persons must wear masks when not eating and getting up from their seats at restaurants.
  8. Hotels must make sure that if they have quarantine guests these guests must be separated from guests who are not under quarantine.
  9. Hotels have a responsibility that guests in quarantine cannot leave their rooms.
Feeling Unwell

If you feel unwell go to a doctor or the hospital – call ahead first, so as not to risk the stff.

Do not go to the local testing centers. These are for people with no symptoms.

Contact Tracing

To improve contact tracing all restaurants must apply for a QR code for use with the LEAVE HOME SAFE APP from the government by 2 December. This QR code must be displayed at entrances of restaurants.

More information on the leave home safe app can be found at the website below:

https://www.leavehomesafe.gov.hk

The government will use 599F to make sure that restaurants and other designated venues apply for this QR Code and post up a label within two days.