The Government announced today (August 10) that it will extend the expiry dates of various regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) to March 31, 2022.

     Although the epidemic situation in Hong Kong is currently under control, the global pandemic situation remains severe. In view of the need to continue implementing various infection control measures subject to the epidemic situations in Hong Kong and around the world in the near future, there is a need to extend the expiry dates of various emergency regulations under Cap. 599 so that the Government can respond swiftly to the epidemic and implement the corresponding measures under the relevant statutory framework.

     The Government will gazette the amendments of the below regulations to extend their effective dates to March 31, 2022.

(1) Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C)
(2) Prevention and Control of Disease (Disclosure of Information) Regulation (Cap. 599D)
(3) Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E)
(4) Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F)
(5) Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G)
(6) Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H)
(7) Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I)
(8) Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J)
((1)-(7) above are currently effective till September 30, 2021. (8) is currently effective till August 14, 2021)

     A Government spokesman pointed out that extending the expiry dates of the relevant regulations is to maintain the legal frameworks for the implementation of the relevant infection control measures. It does not imply that the restrictions currently imposed under those regulations will be maintained until the corresponding expiry dates. The relevant statutory framework has provisions in place to allow flexibility such that the Government may tighten, relax or even suspend specific requirements and conditions subject to development of the epidemic situation.

     "We will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation and review the various measures in place from time to time with a view to making suitable adjustments taking into account all relevant factors," said the spokesman.

Ends/Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:33

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