The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (February 17) visited Hongkong Post to gain better understanding of how frontline colleagues handle the large amount of surgical mask parcels. He expressed gratitude to its frontline staff for standing fast to their posts to help Hong Kong fight against Covid-19.
 
     Accompanied by Postmaster General, Miss Cathy Chu and relevant staff, Mr Cheung inspected the workflow of Speedpost boxes containing surgical masks.
 
     He was most pleased to learn that since the Lunar New Year, Hongkong Post had accorded top priority to Speedpost items containing surgical masks on the principle of "surgical masks first". Over 40 000 boxes of surgical masks items have been delivered last week.
 
     Mr Cheung expressed his warmest appreciation to Hongkong Post for its speedy action to address the community's pressing needs during this emergency period. Noting that the volume of incoming mail has continued to outrun the usual volume by 70 to 80 per cent and that many of the mail items are surgical masks urgently needed by Hong Kong people, Hongkong Post has made special arrangements by re-deploying manpower from other divisions to speed up the processing of Speedpost boxes and deliver the boxes on Sunday and resumed daily mail delivery service fully so that parcels containing surgical masks can reach the hands of the recipients as soon as possible.
 
     In spite of Government's announcement of special work arrangements for government departments to reduce the risk of Covid-19 outbreak in the community, Hongkong Post has maintained normal delivery services for Speedpost service and arranged staff to take shifts in the work of parcel sorting and delivery. The staff also took the initiative to identify parcels containing surgical masks for priority delivery.
 
     Mr Cheung also talked to frontline staff including retirees who return to Hongkong Post to provide support as well as colleagues who are willing to work on Sundays. He expressed his sincerest gratitude to colleagues for their relentless efforts in the fight against the disease and commended Hongkong Post for its dedication in serving Hong Kong people wholeheartedly.
 
     Mr Cheung also stressed that as the current situation was still challenging, members of all Government departments and the Hospital Authority would join hands to fight the disease. He is confident that Hong Kong will win this battle with the concerted efforts of the government and the public.

Ends/Monday, February 17, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:47

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