The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 30) visited the packaging centre for anti-epidemic service bags at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, in the company of the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Acting Director of Home Affairs, Miss Vega Wong; and the Acting Director of Information Services, Ms Grace Ng. Mrs Lam received briefings on the procedures of packaging and arrangements of distribution by a centre manager. Accompanied by Mr Chan, she then joined the packaging work with civil service colleagues. They put anti-epidemic supplies, including "Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang", which is an anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicine donated by the Mainland, and a message card into a bag, finishing the packaging together.

     Mrs Lam said that the operation on packaging and distribution of anti-epidemic service bags is not simply about material distribution, it is also anti-epidemic work that inculcates a culture of positive attitude and motivation in the community. She was encouraged by civil servants and volunteers from different sectors, including members of the Legislative Council, the Hong Kong Community Anti-Coronavirus Link, the Anti-Coronavirus Link of 18 districts, over 230 local organisations and non-government organisations, clansman organisations, charity groups, volunteer and uniformed groups, religious groups and ethnic minority groups, to fight the epidemic with one heart in this operation.

     The packaging work on the first day went very smoothly and the progress was excellent. The packaging of all 3.5 million anti-epidemic service bags is expected to be completed on schedule or even ahead of schedule.

     Moreover, the Secretaries of Departments and the Directors of Bureaux today also visited packaging centres in several districts, giving encouragement to participating civil servants from their teams and volunteers from all sectors.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr John Lee, today visited packaging centres at Lai Kok Community Hall in Sham Shui Po and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin to participate in the packaging work and give encouragement to the civil servants and volunteers from various sectors. The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, visited packaging centres at Quarry Bay Sports Centre in Eastern District and Shun Lee Tsuen Sports Centre in Kwun Tong. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, also visited a packaging centre at Ho Lap College (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen) in Wong Tai Sin to show her support to the staff members.

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; and the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, this morning visited packaging centres at Tsuen Wan Catholic Primary School in Tsuen Wan, Stanley Sports Centre in Southern District, Kwong Yuen Community Hall in Sha Tin and Lai Kok Community Hall in Sham Shui Po respectively, to show their support to the staff members, as well as take part in the packaging work.

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong; and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited Ho Lap College (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen) in Wong Tai Sin, Queen Elizabeth School in Yau Tsim Mong, Quarry Bay Sports Centre in Eastern District, Kwai Fong Community Hall in Kwai Tsing, Chun Wah Road Sports Centre in Kwun Tong and Kowloon Tong Government Primary School in Kowloon City respectively, to join the packaging work and give support to civil service volunteers in the packaging centre this afternoon.

     After packaging anti-epidemic service bags, the Government will start distributing anti-epidemic service bags in 18 districts in Hong Kong from April 2. The distribution is expected to be completed within seven days. Several distribution points for people who cannot receive anti-epidemic service bags can collect the bags at the points. They will be set up in each district to fill the gaps in the arrangements. The Government hopes that the distribution of the medical supplies can enhance people's anti-epidemic awareness and ability.

Ends/Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:50

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