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Hanoi, HCM City and provinces restrict gatherings, close street-side business

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội, HCM City and many provinces have imposed strong measures to curb the spread of the fatal coronavirus following orders from the Prime Minister.

From 5pm on Monday, Hà Nội temporarily closed relics, religious sites and street-side restaurants and drinks stalls until further notice from the municipal People’s Committee.

Indoor restaurants must ensure a minimum distance of one metre between customers or have a shield between seats. They should also encourage takeaway sales.

People returning to Hà Nội after the four-day public holiday must complete medical declarations.

A large number of people in the capital travelled to other localities during the holidays, posing high risks of spreading COVID-19 in the community. 

Documents issues by Hà Nội’s People’s Committee say health declarations for returnees are compulsory.  

Anyone who shows signs of coughing, fever, shortness of breath, or other suspected symptoms of COVID-19 should go to the nearest medical facilities for timely instruction.

Meanwhile, heads of organisations and agencies in the city must be responsible for medical declaration of their staff, and local authorities for those of the residents. 

The municipal police are assigned to direct their lower units to make a list of returnees after holidays, carry out COVID-19 prevention measures, and give strict punishment to anyone committing violations.

COVID-19 has become complicated in recent days as more people have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 after coming into close contact with a patient in the northern province of Hà Nam.

The 28-year-old man tested positive for the virus after he finished 14 days of mandatory quarantine. He had returned Việt Nam from Japan via Đà Nẵng International Airport on April 7. He was quarantined for 14 days in Đà Nẵng and tested negative for coronavirus three times before completing the quarantine period.

Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Nguyễn Thành Phong on Monday also temporarily closed massage facilities, saunas, cinemas, music stages, theatres and video game businesses from 6pm on Monday.

The decision was made at the emergency meeting of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control at noon on Monday.

Phong was concerned about the risk of an outbreak as people return to the city from other provinces and cities after the holiday.

“HCM City is at very high risk. Therefore, the city must always be on high alert. With the results of community surveillance from Tết holiday until now, the biggest risk is from illegal entries and from domestic outbreaks, so we need to focus on controlling these risks,” he said.

Facing the complex development of the COVID-19 pandemic, acting chairman of Yên Bái City People’s Committee Nguyễn Ngọc Trúc launched social distancing measures at midnight on Monday.

People were encouraged to stay at home and buy goods online. Business establishments providing essential goods and services must strictly ensure measures to prevent the pandemic.

The Bình Phước Department of Health on Monday sent an official dispatch to departments, agencies, organisations and localities to monitor people leaving localities affected with COVID-19.

All people from localities that had community COVID-19 cases since last Thursday had to complete medical declarations, quarantine for 14 days and have tests.

The Bình Phước Centre for Disease Control said that currently, the province had six F1 and 74 F2 cases. To date, all of them have tested negative for the virus. The province has not seen any new cases of the disease.— VNS

Published : May 04, 2021

By : Viet Nam News/ANN

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South Korea eyes production hub for COVID-19 vaccines

President Moon Jae-in on Monday stressed South Korea’s possible role as a production hub for COVID-19 vaccines, pledging efforts to ramp up local production, including securing more licensing deals with global vaccine makers.

“Our nation, boasting the world’s second-largest production capacity of biomedicines, is getting renewed attention as a potential global hub for vaccine production,” Moon said in an urgent COVID-19 response meeting with related government offices.

“Three vaccines are already being produced or plan to be produced here, with talks ongoing for more deals. If South Korea becomes the global production hub, that would greatly help boost vaccine supplies both at home and abroad.”

Currently, UK’s AstraZeneca and US’ Novavax vaccines are produced by SK Bioscience, while Huons Global will produce Russia’s Sputnik V shots, pending approval.

Unlike the contract-manufactured AstraZeneca and Sputnik vaccines, the new Novavax vaccine will be produced under a license-in deal with the US drugmaker, which includes technology transfer that allows more efficiency and flexibility in managing production targets.

Last week, Moon invited Novavax CEO Stanley Erck to Cheong Wa Dae to agree on the extension of the existing one-year licensing contract for another year. As soon as the new vaccine gets regulatory approval here, the Korean manufacturer plans to start production with the aim of supplying the first batch of 20 million doses by the third quarter.

The Korean government is seeking to ink similar licensing deals with more vaccine makers, many of them based in the US. Speculation is already growing that the issue of hosting an Asian vaccine production hub in South Korea could be discussed at Moon’s upcoming summit with US President Joe Biden in Washington on May 21 along with other possible issues like North Korea and climate change.

The enhanced partnership is expected to be a win-win for both countries. Korea can secure a more stable supply chain of its own vaccine doses, not to mention more business opportunities for local manufacturers, while the US, under pressure to release more vaccines, can support its vaccine makers to bolster production for a speedier supply.

Experts say more details, including regulatory hurdles and budget plans for expanding production facilities and securing vaccine materials, should be discussed to realize the government’s vision for an Asian vaccine hub.

On Monday, Moon also urged government offices to speed up vaccinations and to share more information as ways to ease people’s concerns over a possible vaccine shortage.

South Korea has thus far secured a total of 192 million vaccine doses fit for 90 million people, nearly double the population. As of Sunday, 3.39 million people, or 6.6 percent of the population, have been vaccinated with their first shots.

The government aims to achieve herd immunity by inoculating 70 percent of the population by November.

Published : May 04, 2021

By : Lee Ji-yoon/The Korea Herald/ANN

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PM Modi authorises keys decisions to boost availability of medical personnel to fight COVID-19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the growing need for adequate human resources for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country today. Many important decisions were taken which will significantly boost the availability of medical personnel in Covid duty.

Adecision was taken to postpone NEET-PG for at least 4 months and the exam will not be held before 31st August 2021. Students will also be given at least one month of time after the announcement of the exam before it is conducted. This will make a large number of qualified doctors available for Covid duties.

It was also decided to allow deployment of Medical Interns in Covid Management duties under the supervision of their faculty, as part of the Internship rotation. The services of Final Year MBBS students can be utilized for providing services like teleconsultation and monitoring of mild Covid cases after due orientation by and under supervision of the Faculty. This will reduce the workload on existing doctors engaged in Covid duty and provide a boost to efforts of triaging.

The services of Final Year PG Students (broad as well as super-specialities) as residents may continue to be utilized until fresh batches of PG Students have joined.

B.Sc./GNM Qualified Nurses may be utilized in full-time Covid nursing duties under the supervision of Senior Doctors and Nurses.

The individuals providing services in Covid management will be given priority in forthcoming regular Government recruitments after they complete a minimum of 100 days of Covid duty.

The medical students/professionals sought to be engaged in Covid related work will be suitably vaccinated. All Health professionals thus engaged will be covered under the Insurance Scheme of Government for health workers engaged in fighting Covid 19.

All such professionals who sign up for a minimum of 100 days of Covid duty and complete it successfully will also be given the Prime Minister’s Distinguished Covid National Service Samman from the Government of India.

Doctors, nurses and allied professionals form the backbone of covid management and are also the frontline personnel. Their presence in adequate strength is critical to address the needs of the patients well. The stellar work and deep commitment of the medical community were taken note of.

The Central Government had issued guidelines on 16th June 2020 to facilitate engagement of Doctors/Nurses for Covid duties. A special Rs. 15,000 crore Public Health Emergency Support was provided by the Central Government to ramp up facilities and human resources for Covid management. Engaging personnel through the National Health Mission, an additional 2206 specialists, 4685 medical officers and 25,593 staff nurses were recruited through this process.

Full details of the key decisions were taken:

RELAXATION/FACILITATION/EXTENSION:

Postponement of NEET-PG for at least 4 months: Considering the current situation in the wake of the resurgence of COVID – 19, NEET (PG) – 2021 has been postponed. This Exam will not be held before 31st August 2021. At least one month time will be given after the announcement of the Examination before it is conducted.

The State/UT Governments are to make all efforts to reach out to each such prospective NEET candidates and request them to join the Covid – 19 workforce in this hour of need. The services of these MBBS doctors can be utilized in the management of COVID – 19. The State/UT Governments may now also deploy Medical Interns in Covid Management duties under the supervision of their faculty, as part of the Internship rotation. The services of Final Year MBBS students can be utilized for providing services like teleconsultation and monitoring of mild Covid cases after due orientation by and under supervision of the Faculty.

Continuation of services of Final year PGs: The services of Final Year PG Students (broad as well as super-specialities) as residents may continue to be utilized until fresh batches of PG Students have joined. Likewise, the services of the senior residents / registrars may continue to be utilized until new recruitments are made.

Nursing personnel: B.Sc./GNM Qualified Nurses may be utilized in full-time Covid nursing duties in ICU, etc., under the supervision of Senior Doctors and Nurses. M.Sc. Nursing students, Post basic B.Sc. (N) and Post basic Diploma nursing students are Registered Nursing Officers and their services can be utilized to take care of COVID- 19 patients as per the Hospital protocols/policies. Final Year GNM or B.Sc. (Nursing) students awaiting Final Exam may also be given full-time Covid Nursing duties at various Government/Private facilities under the supervision of Senior Faculty.

The services of Allied Health Care professionals may be utilized for assistance in Covid Management, based on their training and certification.

The additional human resource thus mobilized will be used only in facilities managing Covid.

INCENTIVES/ RECOGNITION OF SERVICE

The individuals providing services in Covid management will be given priority in forthcoming regular Government recruitments after they complete a minimum of 100 days of Covid duty.

The National Health Mission (NHM) norm for contractual human resource engagement by States/UTs may be considered for implementation of the above-proposed initiative for engaging the additional manpower. Flexibility will be available with States to decide on remuneration as in NHM norms. A suitable honorarium for distinguished Covid Service may also be considered

The medical students/professionals sought to be engaged in Covid related work will be suitably vaccinated. All Health professionals thus engaged will be covered under the Insurance Scheme of Government for health workers engaged in fighting Covid 19.

All such professionals who sign up for a minimum of 100 days of Covid duty and complete it successfully will also be given the Prime Minister’s Distinguished Covid National Service Samman from the Government of India.

State Governments can make available additional health professionals engaged through this process to private Covid Hospitals as well in surge areas.

The vacant posts of doctors, nurses, allied professionals and other healthcare staff in Health and Medical departments be filled through accelerated processes within 45 days through contractual appointments, based on NHM norms.

The States/ UTs have been requested to consider the above incentives to maximise manpower availability.

Published : May 04, 2021

By : The Statesman/ANN

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Storied succession comes to end at Samsung

Lee Jae-yong, despite rising to helm of Samsung empire, faces continued imprisonment and another trial linked to succession

Samsung’s ownership family on Friday announced how the late group Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s Samsung stocks would be distributed among its members. Many local analysts saw it as the finale in a long, storied process of passing down control over the colossal corporate empire to the third-generation leader, Lee Jae-yong.

The junior Lee, the deceased’s only son who had run the group on behalf of his bedridden father since 2014, inherited half of his holdings in Samsung Life Insurance to become the firm’s second-largest shareholder with 10.44 percent.

The largest shareholder is the group’s de facto holding firm, Samsung C&T, and Lee Jae-yong is Samsung C&T’s largest shareholder.

Although the Samsung Life shares were not the most valuable in the late Lee’s equity portfolio, they were strategically important for the family’s continued equity control of the group as a whole.

The fact that Lee Jae-yong inherited half of the shares is widely seen as evidence that the family fully backs him as the group’s successor.

A Samsung official echoed the view, saying, “The inheritance ratio of Samsung Life shares seems to have reflected the family’s agreement to support the son as the leader of Samsung Electronics, helping him secure a solid management right.”

In a cross-shareholding structure among four Samsung affiliates, Samsung C&T controls Samsung Electronics, the group’s crown jewel, through Samsung Life.

Lee Jae-yong, who holds the title of Samsung Electronics vice chairman, also inherited shares in Samsung Electronics and Samsung C&T, as well as Samsung SDS. The late Lee’s widow and two daughters also received portions of the estate.

With the inherited shares, Lee Jae-yong controls 17.97 percent of Samsung C&T and 9.2 percent of Samsung SDS. His directly owned Samsung Electronics shares now amount to a stake of 1.63 percent.

Experts say that with the increased stakes, the leader now has a tighter grip over the entire conglomerate, whose 50-plus affiliates account for roughly one-fifth of the South Korean economy.

“(The announced distribution of stocks among family members) does not change the current ownership structure, which centers around Samsung C&T, through which the family controls the conglomerate,” said Lee Sang-hun, an analyst at Hi Investment & Securities.

Although the family will have to pay massive inheritance taxes in the coming years — 12 trillion won ($10.74 billion) in total — Friday’s disclosure wraps up an effort nearly two decades in the making at Samsung to secure the hereditary succession of family wealth and management control.

South Korea’s inheritance tax rate is 50 percent, but rises to 60 percent when the inheritance benefits a company’s largest controlling stockholder, which the Korean Federation of Employers on Sunday said is the highest level seen among member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

To avoid hefty tax bills, large family-run conglomerates in Korea, known as chaebol, take preparatory steps over the course of many years, in some cases decades.

At Samsung, it began in the late 1990s, when Lee Jae-yong, along with his two younger sisters, Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun, acquired large stakes in two affiliates — Samsung SDS and Samsung Everland — through convertible bonds sold to them by the companies at prices well below fair market value.

As a result of their sale, their father received a suspended jail sentence in August 2009, only to be granted a pardon four months later.

Restructuring at the conglomerate that took place beginning in 2013 was seen as having the dual purpose of streamlining its business portfolio and smoothing the path for the junior Lee’s eventual ascension to power.

The highly controversial merger between Cheil Industries (formerly Samsung Everland, one of Lee Jae-yong’s two vehicles) and Samsung C&T in 2015 was a cornerstone of that effort, experts say.

The Samsung inheritance, and the long preparatory process that preceded the passing of Lee Kun-hee in October last year, was fraught with controversies and legal disputes.

Lee Jae-yong is currently serving a 2 1/2-year jail term for bribing former President Park Geun-hye to gain the state chief’s favor in the succession process. He will be jailed until July 2022, unless he is pardoned.

The tycoon is also standing a separate court trial concerning the 2015 merger and alleged accounting fraud at Samsung Biologics — all seen as being linked to his ascension to control of the group.

The second hearing in his trial is scheduled this week.

While announcing the inheritance — the largest in the country’s history — the Lee family also announced massive donations, which included works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Claude Monet, as well as 1 trillion won for infectious disease research. With the donations and inheritance taxes, the bereaved family is keeping less than half of what the late Lee left behind.

Separately, Lee Seo-hyun, the youngest of the late chairman’s three children, last year donated 3 trillion won to Samsung’s charity foundation, it was disclosed through a regulatory filing Sunday. 

Published : May 03, 2021

By : Lee Sun-young/The Korea Herald/ANN

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Chinas major industrial firms see greener growth in Q1

BEIJING – Chinas industrial sector has accelerated its green transition in the first quarter of this year, with more output of eco-friendly products and more efficient energy consumption, official data showed.

Energy consumption per unit of added value of major industrial firms dropped 8.1 percent year on year in the first three months, indicating more efficient energy use, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed.

Output of low-carbon and smart products saw fast expansion, with production of new energy vehicles and integrated circuit surging 310 percent and 62.1 percent, respectively, data from the ministry showed.

China has announced its goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, with various sectors speeding up low-carbon transition.

Published : May 03, 2021

By : China Daily/ANN

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Myanmar spring protests held at several townships in Yangon

Several protests were held in several townships across Yangon on May 2.

Protest participants held slogans and chanted phrases words as well as encouraging unity amongst civilians in Hlaing Township in the morning of May 2.

Myanmar spring protests held at several townships in Yangon

There also were similar protests in Insein, Thanlyin, Thingangyun, Thuwanna, North Oakkalapa, Mingalardon townships.

Security forces had arrived at scenes of protests and protest participants had to disperse. Initial reports also say that there were multiple arrests.

Myanmar spring protests held at several townships in Yangon

Security forces were seen deployed and with regular patrols moving about in front of Yuzana Plaza, Sanchaung township’s Myaynigone Junction, Tamwe roundabout as well as downtown townships after the protests were held.

Published : May 03, 2021

By : Eleven Media/ANN

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WB Assembly Elections: As battle for Nandigram still continues, Mamata Banerjee thanks people of Bengal for TMC’s’landslide victory’

The battle for Nandigram in the West Bengal Assembly Elections is still not over. Even though much of the national media has declared Mamata as the winner in Nandigram, more conflicting reports are coming in disputing the news.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya has tweeted that Mamata Banerjee has lost the Nandigram seat to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by 1,622 votes.

“Mamata Banerjee, the sitting Chief Minister, loses Nandigram. BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari wins by 1,622 votes. After this crushing defeat what moral authority will Mamata Banerjee have to retain her Chief Ministership? Her defeat is a taint on TMC’s victory…” Malviya tweeted.

As per the current EC trends, Suvendu Adhikari is leading, so far securing 62677 votes, and Mamata Banerjee trailing, winning 52815 votes.

Even Mamata in her press conference was unsure of her victory in Nandigram. “Don’t worry for Nandigram, for struggle you have to sacrifice something. I struggled for Nandigram because I fought a movement. It’s ok. Let the Nandigram people give whatever verdict they want, I accept that,” Banerjee said.

As the party is likely to form the government for the third time, Banerjee said that she was grateful to the people of Bengal for the landslide victory.

“We are grateful to the people for this landslide victory. I have to start working for COVID19 immediately. The swearing-in will be a low-key event because of the prevailing COVID19 situation,” Banerjee said.

“BJP has lost the elections. They played dirty politics. We faced the horror of Election Commission,” she added.

Further, she urged her workers to not take out victory processions.

“I appeal to all my workers to not take out any victory rally,” Banerjee said.

As per EC trends Trinamool Congress is now leading in 199 seats and has won 13 seats. Meanwhile, BJP is leading in 76 seats and as won 2 seats. If the current trend continues, TMC will easily breach the halfway mark.

Polling to 292 assembly seats was held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29. Voting in Shamsherganj and Jangipur seats in Murshidabad district was postponed due to the death of some candidates.

Polling in these two seats will now be held on May 16 and votes counted on May 19.

Counting of votes polled in the West Bengal assembly elections began at 8 am on Sunday under tight security and strict adherence to safety protocols, amid a raging second wave of COVID-19.

Published : May 03, 2021

By : The Statesman/ANN

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Press Freedom Day: 200 violations of press freedom in Asia-Pacific

Over 200 press freedom violations linked to the pandemic were reported in the Asia-Pacific region, of which about half were from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal, stated a press release by International Press Institute (IPI).

“Seventy-one journalists faced arrests and charges for their coverage of the pandemic and its consequences in those countries, while 32 cases of physical attacks and verbal threats were reported,” said the statement.

So far, IPI’s has recorded 635 press freedom violations around the world related to Covid-19, it added.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has delivered a debilitating blow to press freedom across the globe. Governments have tried to stifle independent media, while an alarming number of journalists have come under attacks for their coverage of the health crisis,” said the statement.

This trend has been observed to be perpetrated by “authoritarian and illiberal-minded” regimes, it added.

Myanmar’s military junta has arrested more than 70 journalists, revoked licences of independent media outlets and repeatedly blocked internet access, it said.

Meanwhile, India’s increasingly illiberal government, stung by widespread criticism in the media over its response to the pandemic and the large-scale farmers’ protest, has stepped up legal harassment of journalists, notably through its notorious sedition law, said IPI.

“Journalists in Indian-administered Kashmir continue to face an agonising clampdown aimed at controlling news related to the territory.”

The coronavirus pandemic has aided the negative trend as governments use the public health crisis to restrict reporting, said IPI. Authorities have blocked access to information, arrested journalists for their coverage of the virus, and passed sweeping “fake news” laws that can be used to silence criticism, it added.

Africa ranks second in terms of arrests and charges against journalists and media outlets. Zimbabwe reported the greatest number of arrests in the region, it said.

“Numerous states have imposed restrictions on access to information, preventing journalists from speaking to health officials or medical workers, or blocking independent media from attending press conferences,” said the statement.

Published : May 03, 2021

By : The Daily Star/ANN

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Five VN scientists named among Asia’s best

HÀ NỘI – Five Vietnamese scientists have been listed in the 2021 edition of Asian Scientist 100, an annual list that recognises the achievements of the region’s outstanding researchers by Singapore’s Asian Scientist magazine.

The list highlights their contributions to solving urgent global issues including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

They are Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Thị Thu Hà of Thái Nguyên University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vương Thị Ngọc Lan from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in HCM City; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Thi Quỳnh Mai from the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE); Phạm Tiến Sơn of Đà Lạt University; and Dr. Nguyễn Trương Thanh Hiếu from Tôn Đức Thắng University.

Hà was named ninth on the list, while Lan, Mai, Sơn and Hiếu ranked 19th, 21st, 89th and 98th, respectively.

Trần Thị Thu Hà won the 2019 Vietnamese Kovalevskaya Award for her research into the breeding and intensive cultivation of trees, the rearing of non-timber forest products and the development of medicinal plants. 

Lê Thị Quỳnh Mai leads a team of women who were awarded the 2019 Vietnamese Kovalevskaya Award for further successful isolation of a new strain of SARS-CoV-2, making Việt Nam one of the first four countries to successfully isolate the virus in 2020.

Her team has spent the last two decades fighting deadly diseases, most notably SARS, A/H5N1 bird flu and H1N1.

(From left to rìght) Scientists Trần Thị Thu Hà, Vương Thị Ngọc Lan, Lê Thị Quỳnh Mai, Phạm Tiến Sơn and Nguyễn Trương Thanh Hiếu. Photo http://www.asianscientist.com

Vương Thị Ngọc Lan was one of the three recipients of 2020 Tạ Quang Bửu Award thanks to her study on the efficiency between the transfer of fresh or frozen embryos in women without polycystic ovaries for in vitro fertilisation (IVF). It showed the transfer of frozen embryos yielded similar results to fresh ones, and the research has helped doctors and patients make better choices and increase the chance of success of IVF.

Tạ Quang Bửu Award is an annual prize held by the Ministry of Science and Technology to encourage scientists with outstanding achievements in basic research in the field natural sciences and engineering.

Phạm Tiến Sơn and Nguyễn Trương Thanh Hiếu were also recipients of the 2020 Tạ Quang Bửu Award.

Phạm Tiến Sơn was honoured for the project ‘Generic properties for semialgebraic programmes’ which was published by SIAM Journal on Optimization, while Hiếu was awarded for a project entitled ‘Low energy electron inelastic mean free path in materials’.

To be considered for the 2021 edition of Asian Scientist 100, individuals must have been awarded a national or international prize in 2020 for their research.

Alternatively, the honoree must have a significant accomplishment in scientific discovery or leadership that benefits academia or industry.

As COVID-19 spread across the world last year, scientists from all across Asia joined forces to stop the coronavirus in its tracks.

 “It is now clearer than ever that science – and scientists – are what will help us overcome challenges like COVID-19 and longer term issues like climate change,” said Dr. Rebecca Tan, editor-in-chief of Asian Scientist Magazine.

“We are committed to shining a spotlight on the scientists who often work behind-the-scenes to bring much needed innovations like new vaccines to the world,” he said. – VNS

Published : May 02, 2021

By : Vietnam News / ANN

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HK reports 8 new COVID-19 infections, all imported

HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported eight new COVID-19 infections on Saturday, all of them imported, bringing the city’s overall tally to 11,782.

Among the eight new cases, four were from Indonesia, two from India, and one each from the Philippines and Cambodia, according to a release issued by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health.

A total of 139 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days, including 29 local cases, of which 15 were untraceable, the CHP said.

As cases involving a highly contagious coronavirus variant have been found recently, the Hong Kong government has taken more efforts to prevent a possible outbreak, including compulsory testing of all the 370,000 foreign domestic helpers in the financial hub.

Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee on Saturday stressed the necessity of such measures in a bid to identify the sources of those cases as soon as possible.Meeting reporters after attending a radio program Saturday morning, Chan said the government has increased its COVID-19 testing capacity to cater to the needs of a large number of people and facilitate foreign domestic helpers’ testing.

She said the Food and Health Bureau has allowed a longer time for testing because of the number of people involved. She also said more mobile testing stations were being set up from Saturday.

She called on the public to get vaccinated so that herd immunity could be achieved and people’s life could return to normalcy.

Some 1.41 million vaccine doses have been administered in Hong Kong so far, with nearly 500,000 people fully vaccinated.

Published : May 02, 2021

By : China Daily / ANN