Month: July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 17) said that the recent periodic upsurge of COVID-19 in Hong Kong has ended, with relevant indicators declining to the low levels recorded before April this year. In view of the fact that COVID-19 has been managed in the same way as an upper respiratory tract illness and in response to the significant decrease in the demand for COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs, the special arrangement of providing free oral antiviral drugs to private doctors for prescribing to eligible patients, which has been in place during the pandemic, will be discontinued on July 29. The Government reminded the private doctors to make their own arrangements with the relevant drug dealer if they intend to provide patients with locally registered COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs. Meanwhile, the public medical service will continue to prescribe COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs to patients with clinical needs in accordance with the arrangement for general drugs.
 
End of COVID-19’s periodic upsurge

There was a drastic upsurge in the level of COVID-19 activity in Hong Kong since April of this year, reaching its peak in mid-May. According to the latest surveillance data (as of the week ending July 12), all indicators of COVID-19 activity have dropped back to the low levels recorded before April. For sewage surveillance, the per capita viral load of SARS-CoV-2 virus decreased from around 770 000 copy/litre in mid-May to around 140 000 copy/litre in the most recent week; the percentage of respiratory samples tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus also dropped from a peak of 13.80 per cent to 2.53 per cent in the most recent week. 
 
COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs
 
COVID-19 has become a common respiratory viral infection. For the general public, symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infections are generally mild. Meanwhile, the monthly average number of treatment courses of COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs prescribed by private doctors to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients this year has dropped significantly compared to the past two years. Taking into account the above factors, the Government will end the special arrangement on July 29. This arrangement provided private doctors with free COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs for prescribing to eligible patients during the pandemic. Private doctors can still provide free prescriptions to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients on or before July 28.
 
The Government reminded private doctors that if they intend to provide patients with COVID-19 oral antiviral drug registered in Hong Kong, they can order them directly from the drug dealer, prescribe the drug to patients and charge them. Members of the public with clinical needs may continue to make appointments for general out-patient clinic (GOPC) services through the GOPC Telephone Appointment System or the “Book GOPC” function on the Hospital Authority’s (HA) one-stop mobile application “HA Go”. GOPCs under the HA will continue to prescribe the relevant drugs to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients with clinical needs according to their treatment guidelines. For more details of the GOPC services, please visit the GOPC website: www.ha.org.hk/goto/gopc/en.
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has been providing two COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs, procured by the HA, to private doctors for free prescription to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients with clinical needs since April 2022. This arrangement was intended to mobilise all available healthcare manpower, including private doctors, for anti-epidemic support during the raging epidemic. Private doctors who have registered with the Electronic Health Record Sharing System could request the provision of the COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs via a dedicated online platform. They must follow the relevant treatment guidelines set out by the HA and are not allowed to charge their patients any fees for the COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs. As of June 30 this year, approximately 200 000 treatment courses were prescribed by private doctors to eligible COVID-19 confirmed patients for free.
 
Severe COVID-19 cases primarily affect the elderly, the children and individuals with underlying illnesses. Scientific data has conclusively proven that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective in minimising the risk of severe disease or death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated timely. Those at high risk should receive a booster dose as soon as possible. For more information on COVID-19 vaccination, please visit COVID-19 Vaccination Programme webpage. Although the periodic upsurge of COVID-19 has ended, there has been an upward trend in local influenza activity in Hong Kong recently. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain stringent personal, environmental and hand hygiene at all times.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch the Sport For All Day (SFAD) 2025 on August 3 (Sunday). Free recreation and sports programmes will be conducted at designated sports centres across the 18 districts on that day (from 2pm to 6pm). Members of the public may obtain activity coupons from 8.30am on July 21 (Monday) at the LCSD District Leisure Services Offices or designated venues in the 18 districts. Participants should present the coupons to attend the programmes on time. The LCSD will reserve a portion of the coupons for walk-in participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
The theme of SFAD 2025 is “Coalescing together for the National Games”, echoing Hong Kong’s cohosting the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games with the Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region for the first time.
 
The prime venue is the Kowloon Park Sports Centre, with activities to be provided on August 3 including cheerleading and breaking performances; rugby and golf fun activities; virtual fencing, karting and triathlon; table tennis fun activities for persons with different abilities. Other designated sports centres will organise fitness programmes, health talks, sports demonstrations and a fun day for families, children, youngsters, the elderly and persons with disabilities. On the same day, the LCSD will also open a number of leisure facilities for public use free of charge. Members of the public may make ballot applications via SmartPLAY as individual users from now until July 23.
 
In addition, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China will hold the “Sport for All Experience Day” at GO PARK Sai Sha on August 3 (from 12 noon to 6pm), where the LCSD will set up an SFAD activity booth to promote the joy of sports. A number of organisations will also open up their facilities or roll out recreation and sports programmes for the public free of charge on the same day.
 
Details are available on the SFAD 2025 dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/sfad).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Nano & Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) today to establish a strategic partnership in innovative construction technologies.

Leveraging NAMI’s cutting-edge expertise in advanced materials and the Housing Authority’s public housing practical verification platform, the partnership is expected to accelerate the validation and application of new building materials while creating a sustainable technology development model through patent protection and commercialisation mechanisms.

The first batch of research technologies includes enhancements to the MiSmartLink co-developed by the Housing Authority and NAMI as well as the development of composite sealing rolls, advanced concrete materials and soundproof materials.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said that the bureau hopes this co-operation can inject innovative and technological power into Hong Kong’s construction industry by providing a practical verification platform through public housing.

She added that the bureau and NAMI will strive to build a broader partnership network, develop international markets, and position Hong Kong as a regional hub for construction technology intellectual property, reinforcing the city’s role as a “super connector”.

Addressing the ceremony, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong remarked that the MOU is a manifestation of positive interaction among the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors in innovation and technology as well as an exemplary model of collaboration between Government, industry, academia and research.

He further noted that NAMI’s research and development in construction materials is tailored to the Housing Authority’s diverse application scenarios and production requirements, offering a practical implementation platform for NAMI’s research outcomes.

This synergy is fostering an ecosystem-wide transformation within the industry and realising a more effective public housing supply, Prof Sun highlighted.

The Government added that the collaboration will lead to the establishment of a complete intellectual property management mechanism, allowing research results to gain patent protection and create revenue through technology licensing and commercialisation.

A portion of the revenue will be reinvested into a new round of research and development, in order to form a sustainable development model.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government said today that foundation works at the proposed MTR Corporation (MTRC) Oyster Bay Station project on Lantau Island were suspended on Tuesday, after “upheaving” of more than 20mm was recorded at five nearby monitoring checkpoints.

The upheaving was recorded during precautionary grouting works for socketed steel H-piles. The monitoring checkpoints were installed in accordance with the MTRC’s required railway protection procedures.

These procedures are intended to facilitate monitoring of settlement data at nearby projects, thereby ensuring the structural safety of railway facilities and the railway’s safe operation.

On Tuesday, upheaving of 22 to 48 mm was recorded at five monitoring checkpoints installed on a section of the MTRC’s Tung Chung Line railway tracks near Siu Ho Wan Depot, exceeding the pre-set 20mm trigger level for suspension of works.

The relevant works were thus suspended on the same day, according to established procedures.

The Buildings Department (BD) and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) deployed staff to inspect the affected railway tracks at midnight that day.

The BD confirmed that the supports for the railway tracks are structurally safe.

The EMSD has reviewed the monitoring data and assessment report submitted by the MTRC in relation to the railway’s safe operation. It agreed with the assessment report and confirmed that the railway’s condition fulfils operational safety requirements.

The upheaving has not affected the structural safety of railway facilities or the safe operation of the railway.

The BD, the EMSD and the MTRC will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the structural safety of railway facilities and the railway’s safe operation.

The BD and the MTRC have requested the registered building professionals responsible for the project to formulate mitigation measures and adopt a construction method that would alleviate possible effects on railway facilities.

Upon receipt of proposed mitigation measures or amendment plans and of an application for resumption of works, the BD will rigorously scrutinise these.

Meanwhile, the EMSD has requested that the MTRC implement stringent monitoring measures to ensure the railway’s safe operation.

When the application for resumption of works has been approved, it will be announced to the public.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Two legislative amendments on low-altitude economy development will come into effect tomorrow.

The two amendments – The Small Unmanned Aircraft (Amendment) Order 2025 and the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Amendment) Order 2025 – are aimed at facilitating the development of a low-altitude economy.

The amendments to the Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) Order serve to extend the existing regulatory regime to cover SUA weighing over 25kg but not exceeding 150kg.

Relevant guidance documents including the updated Safety Requirements Document and Advisory Circulars will be available online from tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the amendments to the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 serve to facilitate the trials of various unconventional aircraft in Hong Kong.

New articles are added to empower the Chief Executive to permit the trials of unconventional aircraft under specified conditions.

Practical guidance in respect of the trials of unconventional aircraft will be published online tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.5% in the April to June period, the same as that in March to May, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

 

The underemployment rate remained at 1.4%.

 

Total employment was 3,657,300, down 7,400 from March to May, while the labour force also dropped 7,000 to 3,793,500.

 

The number of unemployed people in April to June was 136,200, about the same as that in March to May. Meanwhile, the number of underemployed people decreased 1,000 to 52,600.

 

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said various industries in Hong Kong are undergoing transition and their respective unemployment rates have different trends.

 

Looking ahead, Mr Sun explained that the trend of unemployment rate will hinge on the overall economic performance, and he elucidated that the entry of fresh graduates and school leavers during the summer may impact the overall employment situation.

 

“Nevertheless, the continued expansion of the Hong Kong economy should provide support to the labour market,” he added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said today (July 17) that the Government will publish the Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (Commencement) Notice (Commencement Notice) and the Firearms and Ammunition (Marking of Firearms) Regulation (Regulation) in the Gazette tomorrow (July 18) to fully implement the United Nation’s Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition (Firearms Protocol). The Commencement Notice and the Regulation will come into operation on July 25, 2025.
 
The spokesman said, “The Firearms Protocol entered into force in 2005 to strengthen control over licit firearms, prevent their diversion into the illegal circuit, and promote relevant law enforcement co-operation of the States Parties. The Firearms Protocol has entered into force for the People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)) since January 18, 2024. The Firearms Protocol stipulates the requirement to criminalise illicit manufacturing of or cross-border trafficking in firearms, component parts and ammunition, as well as falsifying or illicitly obliterating, removing or altering of the requisite markings on firearms.”

The Government tabled the Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the Legislative Council (LegCo) on April 2, 2025, which was passed by the LegCo on May 28, 2025. The Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (Amended Ordinance) empowers the Commissioner of Police (Commissioner) to enact subsidiary legislation to set out the detailed technical requirements for marking of firearms. Except for the parts relating to firearm marking (namely sections 8, 9, 10(1), 11, 13, 14, 15(1), (2) and (3), 16, 17, and 18 of the Amended Ordinance), the other parts of the Amended Ordinance came into effect upon gazettal on June 6, 2025.

​The spokesman added, “According to the Amended Ordinance, the parts relating to firearm marking shall come into operation on a day to be appointed by the Secretary for Security (S for S) by notice published in the Gazette. The S for S now decides that the provisions relating to firearm marking in the Amended Ordinance shall come into effect on July 25, 2025. The Commissioner also enacts the Regulation, specifying the marking requirements for firearms manufactured in or imported into the HKSAR, including the location of markings, the method of engraving, the size of markings, as well as the exemptions for imported firearms from marking and the related requirements. The Regulation will come into force on July 25, 2025.”

The Government will table the Commencement Notice and the Regulation at the LegCo on the coming Wednesday (July 23) for negative vetting.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance caseload dropped by 240 cases to 195,196 in June, down 0.1% from May, the Social Welfare Department announced today.

The total number of recipients was 261,440.

Low-earnings cases fell by 1.4% to 1,312 cases. Permanent disability cases decreased by 0.4% to 16,534 cases.

Both ill-health cases and single parent cases declined by 0.2% to 27,723 cases and 18,842 cases respectively. Old age cases dropped by 0.1% to 110,691 cases.

Meanwhile, unemployment cases remained steady at 16,150 cases.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (July 17) that a tender of 10-year HKD Institutional Government Bonds (Bonds) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, for settlement on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
 
A total of HK$2.0 billion 10-year HKD Bonds will be tendered. The Bonds will mature on July 24, 2035 and will carry interest at the rate of 3.17 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrear.
 
Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof. 
 
Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK ) and Refinitiv (IBPGSBPINDEX). The publication time is expected to be no later than 3pm on the tender day.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Information

Tender information of 10-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

Issue Number	:	10GB3507001
Stock Code	:	4294 (HKGB 3.17 3507)
Tender Date and Time	:	Wednesday, July 23, 2025 9.30am to 10.30am
Issue and Settlement Date	:	Thursday, July 24, 2025
Amount on Offer	:	HK$2.0 billion
Maturity	:	10 years
Maturity Date	:	Tuesday, July 24, 2035
Interest Rate	:	3.17 per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrear
Interest Payment Dates	:	24 January and 24 July in each year, commencing on the Issue Date up to and including the Maturity Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Institutional Issuances Information Memorandum of the Infrastructure Bond Programme and Government Sustainable Bond Programme (Information Memorandum) published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.
Method of Tender	:	Competitive tender
Tender Amount	:	Each competitive tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof. Any tender applications for the Bonds must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the latest published list.
Other Details	:	Please see the Information Memorandum available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website or approach Primary Dealers.
Expected commencement date of dealing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited	:	Friday, July 25, 2025
Use of Proceeds	:	The Bonds will be issued under the institutional part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Proceeds will be invested in infrastructure projects in accordance with the Infrastructure Bond Framework published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.