bc magazine

Cathay Pacific Vaccination Draw Scam

With little confidence in the government’s Covid-19 response, too many HongKongers have still not got vaccinated. Quite why, when the Pfizer/Biontech Comirnaty vaccine is produced and tested in the regulatory intense European Union and is free, I don’t understand.

Rather than make vaccination mandatory pressure was put on companies to ‘bribe’ HongKongers with lucky draws and prizes for getting vaccinated. Among those deciding to participate was Cathay Pacific who offered “25,000 free tickets to over 50 destinations. You can enter the lucky draw between 16 September and 30 September, 2021.”

Not one to turn down the chance of a free flight ticket I entered. With the entry closing date the 30 September 2021 and the Cathay website indicating “The results will be drawn on 5 October, 2021 and announced on the Cathay website.”

So I was more than a little surprised this morning (29 September) to receive an email from Cathay informing me that I was not a winner, but that they would keep sending me promotional material – something I specifically opted out of.

unfortunately, you weren’t chosen as a winner on this occasion.

“weren’t chosen” in the email also seems to imply that the draw is not random, but prizes are issued to Asia Miles members (needed to enter the draw) with accounts that Cathay wants to reward.

bc has approached Cathay for comment and will update this article if one is recieved.

The draws maybe a scam for your personal data, but getting vaccinated will reduce your chance of getting Covid-19 and reduce in most cases the seriousness of the infection. Get Vaccinated!!

Government Extends Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) to March 31, 2022

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

A Government spokesman explained that extending the expiry dates of the relevant regulations maintains 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.

Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599)

(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)

Consumption Vouchers Registration Closes 14 August

Registration for the Consumption Voucher Scheme will close this Saturday, 14 August.

Each eligible person can only register once and duplicate registrations will not be processed.

Octopus Card users will first receive HK$2,000, another HK$2,000 two months later, and then HK$1,000 several weeks after that.

People who receive the vouchers via their AlipayHK, Tap & Go or WeChat Pay HK digital wallets will first get HK$2,000 and then HK$3,000 two months later.

People who completed their registration on or after 18 July, and those who submitted paper registration forms, will receive the first $2,000 tranche of consumption vouchers on 1 September.

If you have not applied, registration closes on 14 August www.consumptionvoucher.gov.hk

Self-paid Serology Antibody Testing Service at Airport

The Government has announced the commencement of a self-paid serology antibody testing service at the airport from 18 August for people arriving in Hong Kong. No prices have yet been confirmed.

Fully vaccinated people arriving in Hong Kong who do not possess a positive result proof of a recognised serology antibody test can choose to undergo a self-paid serology antibody test at the airport’s Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) during “test and hold”. The relevant arrangement will be as follows:
(a) Fully vaccinated persons who have stayed in the new Group B specified places will still have to abide by the following relevant boarding requirements, otherwise they will not be able to board flights for Hong Kong:
(i) present a recognised vaccination record,
(ii) present a negative result proof of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 conducted within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft, and
(iii) present confirmation in English or Chinese of room reservation in a DQH in Hong Kong for no less than 14 nights starting from the day of the arrival of the relevant traveller at Hong Kong;
(b) before departure, relevant persons should register and pay for the test on the website of the self-paid serology antibody testing service provider, accessible via a link to be uploaded on the Government’s COVID-19 thematic website (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html);
(c) upon arrival, follow instructions to undergo “test-and-hold” at TSCC;
(d) after specimen collection for the nucleic acid test under “test-and-hold” and on receipt of the relevant quarantine order, persons arriving at Hong Kong who choose to undergo a self-paid serology antibody test at the airport can follow directions to undergo the test by venous blood sampling; and
(e) after undergoing venous blood sampling, the relevant person can leave the airport on confirmation of a negative nucleic acid test result by Government-arranged designated transport to undergo compulsory quarantine in DQHs.

The result of the serology antibody test will be available in about 2 days. If the result is positive, the Department of Health will contact the relevant passengers through their DQHs to shorten their compulsory quarantine period to 7 days. The relevant persons can then arrange with DQHs on refunding the cost of the remaining 7 nights of room reservation.

Passengers still have to undergo two nucleic acid tests during the 7-day compulsory quarantine period, followed by a 7-day self-monitoring period as well as compulsory testing on the 9th, 12th, 16th and 19th days of arrival at Hong Kong.

“Persons who choose to undergo self-paid serology antibody testing at the airport will still be required to present at boarding the confirmation of a room reservation of no less than 14 nights in a DQH in Hong Kong, or they will not be allowed to board flights for Hong Kong. The self-paid serology antibody testing service is provided by private testing institutions. Details can be checked with the institutions directly. Persons arriving at Hong Kong should endeavour to reserve and pay for the serology antibody test before departure, in order to ensure a smooth arrival process,” a Government spokesman reminded.

Macao Temporarily Removed From Return2hk Scheme

The Government announced today (August 3) that in the light of the latest epidemic development in Macao, Macao will be included on the List of At-risk Places Temporarily Inapplicable under the Return2hk Scheme (List of At-risk Places) from 4 August.

The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced today that one imported case and three imported-related cases have been confirmed. According to the assessment by Macao’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre, the risk of local transmission and outbreak of COVID-19 was extremely high. The Chief Executive of the Macao SAR announced that Macao has entered a state of immediate prevention, with effect from 3.30pm today. Starting from the same time, a proof of negative nucleic acid test result obtained within 24 hours is necessary for departure from Macao.

Taking into consideration Macao’s local epidemic development and the relevant announcement, the HK Government will include Macao on the List of At-risk Places from 4 August. Persons who have stayed in Macao or any other places on the List of At-risk Places on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or during the 14 days before that day will not be eligible to return to Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme. They will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at home, and have to undergo compulsory testing on the third, the seventh and the 12th days of arrival at Hong Kong during quarantine, as well as on the 16th and 19th days of arrival at Hong Kong after the completion of quarantine.

The arrangements of shortened quarantine period to seven days for fully vaccinated persons will also not be applicable.

New Quarantine Hotel List Announced: 1 September – 30 November, 2021

An updated list of 37 designated Hong Kong quarantine hotels for the period 1 September – 30 November 2021 (fifth cycle) has been released.

The list of designated hotels in the fifth cycle and related details such as room rates have been uploaded to www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/designated-hotel.html, or download the pdf here.

New hotels for this cycle are: Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong, Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong, Empire Hotel Causeway Bay, Empire Prestige Causeway Bay.

There is an excellent google docs form here about the various hotels including room prices, contact details, restrictions,

Central and Western District
1. Best Western Plus Hotel Hong Kong
2. CM+ Hotels & Serviced Apartments
3. Grand City Hotel
4. JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La
5. Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong
6. One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences
7. Ramada Hong Kong Harbour View
8. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
9. Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong
10. Ovolo Central

Hong Kong Eastern District
1. Ramada Hong Kong Grand View

Islands District
1. Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung
2. Regal Airport Hotel

Kowloon City District
1. Bridal Tea House Hotel Hung Hom Gillies Avenue South
2. iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel
3. Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
4. Metropark Hotel Kowloon Hong Kong
5. Regal Oriental Hotel

Kwai Tsing District
1. Dorsett Tsuen Wan

Hong Kong Southern District
1. Nina Hotel Island South (Formerly L’hotel Island South)
2. Ovolo Southside

Tsuen Wan District
1. Silka Far East Hotel Hong Kong

Wan Chai District
1. Best Western Hotel Causeway Bay
2. Dorsett Wanchai Hong Kong
3. Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island
4. Mira Moon Hotel
5. Vela Boutique Hotel
6. Eco Tree Hotel Causeway Bay
7. Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay
8. Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong
9. Empire Hotel Causeway Bay
10. Empire Prestige Causeway Bay

Wong Tai Sin District
1. Pentahotel Hong Kong

Kowloon Yau Tsim Mong District
1. Bridal Tea House Hotel Yau Ma Tei Wing Sing Lane
2. Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong
3. Ramada Hong Kong Grand
4. Silka Seaview Hotel Hong Kong
5. Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers

Consumption Vouchers Redeemable From Today

The first $2,000 tranche of consumption vouchers were distributed today to the roughly 5.5 million people who had completed the electronic registration by 17 July. Notifications of disbursement were sent by SMS or mobile app push.

For people who used AlipayHK, Tap & Go or WeChat Pay HK, the $2,000 vouchers have been directly injected into your account, separate from your existing e-wallet. When making a payment, just choose whether to use the vouchers or other payment.

People using Octopus cards can collect the $2,000 voucher by tapping the card at the Subsidy Collection Points of the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme at MTR stations; Light Rail Customer Service Centres; piers; public transport interchanges; convenience stores; supermarkets; Octopus Service Points; or via Octopus app within three months from today.

Vouchers can be used at retail shops, market stalls, department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, fast food shops, coffee shops, recreational facilities, beauty salons and public transport, etc. However, vouchers could not be used for the following items:
payments to the Government (e.g. tax, fines, licence fees, tunnel fees, parking meters)
payments to public utilities (i.e. water, electricity and gas)
payments to public organisations (e.g. Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Housing Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society)
education expenses (i.e. payments to primary and secondary schools providing local and non-local curriculum, and UGC-funded universities)
purchase of financial products or services (e.g. insurance)
donation (including charitable, religious and political organisations)
direct purchases from merchants located outside Hong Kong (including online purchases through non-local online platforms made locally)
person to person payments
encashment

Octopus Card users will first receive HK$2,000, another HK$2,000 two months later, and then HK$1,000 several weeks after that.

People who receive the vouchers via their AlipayHK, Tap & Go or WeChat Pay HK digital wallets will first get HK$2,000 and then HK$3,000 two months later.

People who completed their registration on or after 18 July, and those who submitted paper registration forms, will receive the first $2,000 tranche of consumption vouchers on 1 September.

If you have not applied, registration closes on 14 August www.consumptionvoucher.gov.hk

$5,000 Covid Vouchers – Registration Open

Registration for the first tranche of $5,000 Covid ‘vouchers’ is now open until 17 July. Sign up online or via the government’s iAM Smart app. Paper registration is also available, but you’ll have to wait until 1 September for your first payment.

Only adult permanent SAR residents and ‘new arrivals’ will be eligible and applicants will have to make a declaration that they are currently living in Hong Kong.

Octopus Card users will first receive HK$2,000, another HK$2,000 two months later, and then HK$1,000 several weeks after that. The vouchers can be collected by using Octopus card readers at MTR stations or in shops, or via the card’s app.

People who receive the vouchers via their AlipayHK, Tap & Go or WeChat Pay HK digital wallets will first get HK$2,000 and then HK$3,000 two months later.