The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited Hong Kong International Airport this afternoon (March 19) to inspect the implementation of compulsory quarantine measures for all persons arriving from overseas countries and territories starting from 0.00am today. She also encouraged personnel of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) and various departments including the Department of Health’s Port Health Division and the Immigration Department, thanking them for sparing no effort in enforcing relevant quarantine measures to protect Hong Kong and people's health.
 
     Accompanied by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, and the Chief Executive Officer of the AA, Mr Fred Lam, Mrs Lam learned about the workflow of implementing mandatory quarantine for people arriving in Hong Kong at the airport, including body temperature checks and collection of health declaration forms, issuing quarantine orders and helping arriving passengers put on electronic wristbands to ensure they stay at their dwelling places while under quarantine, and distributing information packs to introduce to them the procedures of a quarantine order and other points to note. Some people arriving in Hong Kong were also given a specimen container for participation in the Enhanced Laboratory Surveillance Programme.
 
     Given the proliferation of the disease around the world, the number of imported cases has increased significantly and there have been a number of cases involving reports of symptoms in travellers on arrival in recent days. To minimise the risk of the spread of the virus in the local community and alleviate the pressure on the hospitals of the Hospital Authority (HA), the HA, on the instruction of the Steering Committee in relation to the COVID-19 virus, is preparing for the establishment of test centres at AsiaWorld–Expo and North Lantau Hospital, to which some of the travellers will be diverted for collection of specimens for viral tests. After leaving the airport, Mrs Lam also visited AsiaWorld–Expo and North Lantau Hospital to find out more on the preparation work by the HA for the establishment of the test centres, which she noted will be in operation shortly. The Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan, and the Chief Executive Officer of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, also joined the visit.
      
     Noting that the overall operation of the expansion of the coverage of compulsory quarantine at the airport on its first day had been generally smooth, Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the Department of Health, the Immigration Department, the AA and relevant personnel for their hard work. She also thanked the affected travellers for their co-operation and understanding. While pointing out that although the overall number of arrivals today has dropped, she said that many people including overseas students are expected to return to Hong Kong in the coming one or two weeks and that the Government will do its utmost in making arrangements for compulsory quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading in the community. She added that the Steering Committee has requested the Department of Health to enhance the capacity of virus tests and consider setting up a test centre at the AsiaWorld-Expo as well.
      
     "In light of the number of confirmed cases in recent days, the threat of transmission of the virus into Hong Kong from overseas is huge. I appeal to all the people under quarantine to abide strictly with the requirements of the quarantine order by not going out for 14 days. Otherwise, there will be legal responsibility. They should also pay attention to personal hygiene during home quarantine and remain vigilant to minimise contacts with family members in order to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. As long as we stay united, Hong Kong will definitely win the battle against the epidemic," Mrs Lam said.

Ends/Thursday, March 19, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:55

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