Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo (with video)
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council (ExCo) meeting today (November 1):
 
Reporter: Good morning Mr Lee. (Financial Secretary) Paul Chan will likely test positive for COVID on arrival on a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. Will he undergo isolation or will an exception be made in light of these events? And next, you say that the Government will act in accordance with the law. When the Government lost a case over vaccine exemption certificates, rather than accepting the verdict, it chose to change the law within a matter of days. Do you feel this sends a wrong message when it comes to Hong Kong's rule of law?
 
Chief Executive: First of all, the Financial Secretary, on his arrival, will do his PCR test, so we'll wait until his result (is out). And of course, if he's found to be infected, he will have to isolate himself. We'll deal with his case according to the result.
 
     The second thing, I think your question is very misleading. The Government acts in accordance with the law. That is the priority principle that we have been adopting. The judgment indicates that there is a gap which needs to be filled, and therefore, according to the judgment, we take action to fill that gap to ensure that the action we take has a strong legal basis. So that is in full compliance with the principle of the rule of law. Then the question is whether we will appeal or not, and we have already issued a statement to indicate the Government's position.
 
     We have a duty to take care of public health speedily and efficiently. And that is the reason why we have been rolling out different measures. When we acted, it was under this firm belief. If the judgment indicates that despite the good intention of the Government, there is a need to ensure that the legal basis is strong and full, and according to that principle, we'll take action to ensure that we have a strong legal basis so that we can make sure that we act in accordance with the law. That's the principle of the rule of law. Exactly, that's a very strong example that we are upholding the principle of the rule of law.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Issued at HKT 14:05

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