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March 23rd - CE Press Conference

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  1. #1

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    March 23rd - CE Press Conference

    Following this one today.

    I expect there will be some discussion about social distancing, vaccines and some of the #12 who have been returned. Or may be even the new sanctions... lets see.

    https://youtu.be/8RJXWpe4pAM


  2. #2

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    Announcements

    No announcements - straight to Q&A

    Q&A


    • Central Authority did not instruct Ms Lam to "tackle certain problems" - how come you had to issue a press release to clarify.

      The press release was issued by the CS of Administration - to clarify inaccurate press reports. HK is not a "tax haven" and has a low and simple tax regime. There has never been any "instructions" - HK is handles it local affairs, however the leaders of the central authorities are concerned and want to do more. They express concern and give us support.

    • Of the returnees, only 1 was allowed to make a call. How come the rest were denied calls by the police?

      Upon their return to HK, they have to serve their sentences etc etc. Their rights during custody will be protected and not appropriate to comment on individual cases.

    • Given the "low" inoculation rate, will you provide more incentives to take the vaccine - like travel outside etc?

      We ask the press to be objective. Close to 360K people have been inoculated. 2nd doses are starting and people should take them. 6% of the population over 16. Not a bad rate and we could do better.

      Biggest incentive is to protect your self and boost your immune system against covid. Quotes Bokhary - "protect others including grand children".

      By reciprocity - "something that we'll look into" (assuming she's talking about travel plans).

    • When will electoral reform bill be introduced? 31st?

      Spokesperson announced - on 29-30, HK items are on the agenda - Annex 1 and 2 (voting / electoral reforms). Within March they're able to convene a special meeting - pleased to here and no time is lost to make things happen.

      When the decisions and deliberation are received - "we will lose no time. have started working on local legislation that needs to be amended. 20+ amendments". Bill(s) will be introduced as soon as possible.

      Next CE election will be by end of March next year. If the amendments are made as soon as possible.

      The function of the govt is to introduce the bill. Legco needs to scrutinise and "does not think it will be easy because of the pro-establishment majority". "How many hours will the bills committee will be able to devote to the bill - meet every 2 weeks for a few hours". "This time around there will be more frequent meetings". "If need be other bills will be delayed to allow maximum time for this bill".

    • What works at M+ violated laws? Will some photos be considered banned?

      Hong Kong has a unique cultural scene. The central govt has included the status of HK culture in their national plan for the first time and "development of HK as a global art and cultural hub". WIth the passage of the NSL, any work related to art and culture any breaches will have to be dealt with seriously.

      Chairman of the Arts and Cultural authority (Henry Tang) .. He is now a member of the CPCC and CE has full confidence in him to handle in a capable manner.

    • Question about judicidary independence

      An independent judiciary is an important part of our system. "Appointment of judges from other common law jurisdictions" - This has been our tradition. Lord Reid's comments are fair. He said "if something happens he would act in a certain way - that is an assumption". As a permanent judge he should make a stance. (Getting confusing - but the gist is - "no interference from Central authorities in the CFA".)

    • Personally did not experience any problems after vaccination and worked till late and "here I am again today". Hopefully we can resort to science when we consider vaccinations. Hopefully we can create immunity if the majority takes their two doses.

    • Is the govt looking at vaccinating < 30 YO

      We have an assured supply. We have authorised two vaccines so far. We have advance purchase agreements for a third vaccine. In order to make use of the vaccines - we have been adjusting eligibility. All the eligible groups account fo 5.5M people in HK out of 6.5M people (above 16). The only omission are < 30 year old who do not belong to priority groups.

      Civil service sec will monitor and if other batches arrive (or coming) we will open the process up. Under review depending on demand and circumstances.

    • Is the govt reviewing 21 day quarantine?

      This is stringent but as we continue to have positive cases beyond day 14 of quarantine (day 19 cases - 10 or so cases). This is worrying to our public health officials. If these people are allowed to go home, it could cause problems.

      Aware of the pressures on people who are isolated for 21 days in terms of physical and mental health.

      Under review to reduce this to 14 days, and assure public health officials that people who leave earlier before 21 days there is some medical surveillance in place to prevent community infections. These measures have been in place since November, but need to take into account the benefits and needs of the community.


    Last edited by shri; 23-03-2021 at 10:15 AM.

  3. #3

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    Running late .. 9:43 and no sign of it starting.

    Last edited by shri; 23-03-2021 at 09:44 AM.

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    Ugh .. this one is running seriously late.


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    Am I reading correctly that they’re considering dropping quarantine back down to 14 days?


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    Quote Originally Posted by merchantms:
    Am I reading correctly that they’re considering dropping quarantine back down to 14 days?
    Under review. But not optimistic at the moment unless there is a lot of pressure on the govt (and factors are unknown).

  7. #7

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    Original Post Deleted
    Number one reason for millions of HK people to get vaccinated is travel to the mainland. Currently mainland is 14 days home quarantine but majority of HKers do not qualify to even travel there.

    In other words you’re looking in the wrong direction when trying to figure out how to incentivize people to get the shot based on travel purposes.

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    Original Post Deleted
    not very true. if you are hk citizen, only go to SZ/GZ the few guanzhou cities, and coming back to hk under the 3000 daily quota scheme, there is no quarantine.
    merchantms likes this.

  9. #9

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    What I’m saying is that 21 days quarantine is not the issue for most HKers. They want to go to China, and are willing to do 14 days at home - but there are quotas and limits and you can only reach GBA cities.

    HKers will get vaccinated if they can travel freely to mainland so we should push for this to be announced ASAP so that the benefits of herd immunity come faster.

    21 days or UK ban only affect a minority. Focus on the bigger picture.

  10. #10

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    HKers will get vaccinated if they can travel freely to mainland so we should push for this to be announced ASAP so that the benefits of herd immunity come faster.
    The underlying message today was "get your second dose". We have a bit of a chicken and egg situation here.

    I have a feeling there will be some relaxation / announcements soon, since the CE went out of her way to express how brutal the 21 day quarantine can be, she mentioned things like medical surveillance etc.

    Couple this with the UK traffic light system announcement expected on April 12th - I suspect there will be some changes soon-ish.

    May be I'm over optimistic.

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