Construction website The B1M has published a non-critical video about the building of the recently opened Sha Tin to Central MTR link.
The video and associated article entitled Hong Kong’s $11BN Underwater Railway Explained gives a broad overview of the SCL project and while the construction scandal and subsequent judicial inquiry are mentioned. It sadly reinforces the impression at the time that the corruption involved was ignored and covered up.
Yet more illogical changes to Hong Kong’s social distancing measures. Why is it ‘safe’ to go to the cinema or have a massage – yet not sit on the beach in the sun where the sunshine can kill the virus and help strengthen the bodies defences against the virus. Why can four people sit in a restaurant to drink and eat but not in a bar?…
Social distancing measures will be relaxed from 21 April in three phases over a period of three months. Use of LeaveHomeSafe and Vaccine Pass upon entering premises will still be required.
• Reopening of amusement game centres, fitness centres, places of amusement, places of public entertainment, beauty parlours and massage establishments, sports premises, event premises and religious premises, where the number of persons per group gathering will be 4 generally.
• Relaxation of dine-in service hours at catering premises to 10pm, with the maximum number of persons allowed per table increased to 4; bars/pubs to remain closed.
• Reopening of all sports premises, museums, performance venues and libraries under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
• Masks-on all the time (including when doing exercise) except under necessary circumstances, e.g. eating or drinking at catering premises, receiving facial treatment at beauty parlours.
• Relaxation of the restriction on the maximum number of persons per group gathering in a public place to 4; cancellation of the prohibition on multi-household gatherings at private premises involving more than 2 households.
• Reopening of the remaining scheduled premises, i.e. swimming pools, bathhouses, party rooms, clubs/nightclubs, karaoke establishments, mahjong/tin kau premises and cruise ships; relaxation of the restriction on the maximum number of persons per table/group gathering at scheduled premises to 8 by and large.
• Reopening of beaches under Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
• Masks-off allowed in outdoor areas of country parks, when engaging in strenuous physical activities in outdoor public places, at sports premises and fitness centres, etc.
• Further relaxation of dine-in service hours at catering premises to midnight, with the maximum number of persons allowed per table increased to 8; reopening of bars/pubs, with the opening hours until midnight/2am and maximum number of persons allowed per table at 4
• Lifting of the restrictions on the maximum number of customers in terms of capacity limit, business/dine-in hours, maximum number of persons per group gathering, etc. at all catering premises (including bars/pubs) and scheduled premises
The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk
With over 50% of Hong Kong’s population infected or recovering from Covid. What need is there for hotel quarantine (apart from hotel profits) unless a person fails a PCR test on arrival?
With effect from 1 April, the “flight ban” on the nine countries (Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) will be lifted.
Quarantine arrangements, under Cap. 599E, for all arrivals to be rationalised as follows:
Only Hong Kong Residents who are fully vaccinated can board a flight for Hong Kong.
A negative PCR-based nucleic acid test, taken within 48 hours of departure.
Confirmation of room reservation in a Designated Quarantine Hotel (DQH) for at least 7 nights.
“Test and hold” upon arrival in Hong Kong, where a rapid PCR-based nucleic acid test will be conducted; upon a negative test result, a 14-day Quarantine Order will be issued and designated transport taken to go to the DQH.
During the quarantine period, daily RATs will be conducted and PCR-based nucleic acid tests on Day 5 and (if still in the DQH) on Day 12.
If the results of Day 5 PCR-based nucleic acid test and Day 6 and 7 RATs are all negative, early discharge from the DQH will be allowed
If early discharge is opted for: self-monitoring for 7 days, with a PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted at a community testing centre on Day 12.
Otherwise: a PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted in the DQH on Day 12, followed by discharge from the DQH on Day 14 upon a negative result
If the result of the PCR-based nucleic acid test during “test and hold”, Day 5 or 12 PCR based nucleic acid test or daily RAT is positive, transfer to a community isolation hotel will be arranged with an Isolation Order issued.
The isolation and discharge arrangements will be the same as those for local cases in isolation, i.e. completion of isolation for leading a normal life upon Day 6 and 7 RAT negative results
The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk
The Hong Kong Government has announced that the flight suspension for Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended to 20 April 2022.
All passenger flights from the nine countries are banned from landing in Hong Kong!
Anyone who has stayed in these countries for more than two hours within 14 days of their planned arrival will be prohibited from boarding any flight to Hong Kong.
The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk
At 6pm today, 9 December 2021, a ‘Chiming Ceremony’ commemorated the centenary of the former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower Bell. It’s the first time the bell has been heard in 70 years.
The Kowloon-Canton Railway Kowloon Terminus used to be located at the present site of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Designed by Arthur Benison Hubback and built on reclaimed land overlooking the harbour; the Kowloon Terminus opened in 1916 as the southernmost railway station of China and served as a gateway between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
A lack of space for expansion saw the southern terminus move, in 1974, to a new station built on land reclaimed from Hung Hom Bay.
The station building was demolished in 1978 except the clock tower which was conserved thanks to the efforts of the Heritage Society. Additionally, six pillars of the original station building were moved to the Urban Council Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui East.
Now known as the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, the tower is a popular landmark. The Bell of the Clock Tower began service in 1921 and ceased operation in 1950.
Now in 2021 the Bell’s chime will be brought back and report the time via a digital bell system synchronised with the web clock of the Hong Kong Observatory, sounding hourly every day between 8am and midnight.
A “Centenary of the Bell – Resonance of Time” exhibition will run from 10-24 December in the foyer of the HK Cultural Centre. More information at www.hkculturalcentre.gov.hk/en/hkcc/TSTClockTower
Images courtesy of the relevant owners
One of Hong Kong’s first legal ride-hailing apps HKTaxi, founded in 2014 by Kay Lui and Maff Wong has been bought by Uber.
When it originally launched the HKTaxi app replaced many of the existing phone-based hailing systems. Now you can use the app to pay by Octopus or e-wallet, tip the driver in advance to encourage them to take your booking etc…
“HKTaxi has been able to transform the Hong Kong taxi industry by turning the traditional phone call taxi into a taxi booking app, allowing riders to easily find drivers and vice versa, and enabling electronic payment in the Hong Kong taxi industry. All these features and services greatly improve the overall user experience,” said backer Lap Man.
Uber Hong Kong General Manager Estyn Chung said of the deal “It is an honour to partner with them in bringing greater innovation and growth to the taxi industry. When people think of Uber they increasingly think of taxis, and this deal only emphasizes the importance we place in the sector, in both Hong Kong and around the world.”
images: HKTaxi, transitjam, bcmagazine
Established in 1888 the Peak Tram has evolved over 130 years from a means of transportation into one of Hong Kong’s most-visited attractions.
The double reversible funicular railway, as it is technically known, rises from 28m to 396m above sea level along a 1.4 km track with a gradient of between 4 to 25.7 degrees.
The current Peak Tram has been in operation for 32 years and will close for around six months on 28 June for renovation and upgrade. The familiar burgundy trams will run until 1 June, before eight local artists – Peter Ng, Uncle@Afterworkshop, Stella So, Nopaperstudio, Pei Chung, Even Lee, Jacmila and John Lam – decorate the cars with locally themed artwork.
No information has been currently provided about bus routes to replace the tram while it’s closed.
Launched on the 28 June, the new Central-Hung Hom ferry route is between the Hung Hom (South) Ferry Pier and Central Pier No. 8 (Western Berth) and costs $9 per trip.
The basic schedule is every 20 minutes during peak hours from Mondays to Saturdays; and every 30 to 50 minutes during non-peak hours, Sundays and public holidays.
Renovations at both piers by Fortune Ferry Company Limited include free wifi, fans and a luggage storage service. An app offering real-time arrival/departure information will be launched soon.
Fortune Ferry also operates the North Point-Kai Tak-Kwun Tong and Tuen Mun-Tung Chung-Sha Lo Wan-Tai O ferries.
