In light of the latest developments of COVID-19, there has been a sharp increase in both the numbers of confirmed and close contact human cases that required pet owners to send their pet animals to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for quarantine and veterinary monitoring. Hence, the Department needs to have more room to cater for such needs. The AFCD today (November 27) announced that the New Territories South Animal Management Centre (NTSAMC) would be launched next Monday (November 30) as another quarantine facility for pet animals related to COVID-19 cases. All animals originally kept in the NTSAMC will be transferred to other Animal Management Centres for follow-up, and the NTSAMC will not open to public until further notice.
      
     The animal keeping facility at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will only be used for quarantine and veterinary monitoring for animals tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
      
     An AFCD spokesman reminded pet owners to adopt good hygiene practices (including hand washing before and after being around or handling animals, their food or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing them) and to maintain a clean and hygienic household environment. People who are sick should restrict contact with animals. If any changes in the health condition of the pets are spotted, advice from a veterinarian should be sought as soon as possible.
      
     The spokesman emphasised that currently there is no evidence that pets are playing a role in the spread of human infection with the COVID-19. Pet owners should always maintain good hygiene practices and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets.

Ends/Friday, November 27, 2020
Issued at HKT 21:06

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