Tag: Wuhan virus

‘Vaccine Bubble’ Quarantine Arrangements

The Government today, 15, April, announced plans to shorten the quarantine period for fully vaccinated persons arriving from non-very high-risk overseas places on the basis of the “vaccine bubble”.

“As the global epidemic situation remains severe with the new virus variants still ravaging many parts of the world, the Government needs to maintain the 21-day compulsory quarantine requirement for persons who have stayed in high-risk places outside China. ”

“However, considering that the epidemic situations in certain places have stabilised and pose lower public health risks, with reference to the ‘vaccine bubble’ concept, the Government will adjust the quarantine arrangements for persons who have stayed in overseas places other than extremely high-risk and very high-risk places under the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C), the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E) and Cap. 599H,” said the spokesman.

“The basic boarding and quarantine requirements will remain unchanged for high-risk and medium-risk places (i.e. Group B and Group C specified places), but the Government will supplement in due course new arrangements applicable to fully vaccinated persons and shorten the compulsory quarantine period for the relevant persons from 21 days to 14 days under the “vaccine bubble” concept.

As for low-risk Group D specified places (i.e. Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore), the compulsory quarantine period for fully vaccinated persons will also be correspondingly shortened from 14 days to seven days in due course.

Persons that have completed quarantine under the adjusted Group B, Group C and Group D requirements will be required to self-monitor for seven days and undergo compulsory testing after their shortened quarantine.”

The Government plans to gazette and effect the new arrangements within about two weeks.

BioNTech (Comirnaty) Vaccination Resumes

BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccination resumed today 5 April, longer lines – which at the time bc’s reporter was there were sadly disproportionately (about 80%) non-ethnic Chinese – meant the queue and injection took around 80 minutes.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210405-11pro-Second-Covid-Vaccination-BionTech-Sai-Yin-Pun/i-XS6wd54

Unfortunately at Sai Yin Pun Vaccination Centre the nurse absolutely refused to allow our reporter to take a photo of themselves getting vaccinated.

We’re not big ‘selfie’ takers, but this seemed a missed opportunity to raise communal awareness of vaccination and maybe counter some of the negative rubbish being spread by the ignorant both in Hong Kong and abroad.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210405-11pro-Second-Covid-Vaccination-BionTech-Sai-Yin-Pun/i-w86Rq7j

While the vaccine is not yet a cure, it can and will save lives! Not only of those who get infected but also of those whose jobs, livelihoods and mental health have been destroyed over the last year!

PLEASE GET VACCINATED!!! Make a booking here www.coronavirus.gov.hk

Fosun BioNTech Batch No 210102 – Update

At today’s daily press conference the Secretary for Civil Service Patrick Nip said the Hong Kong Government had received notice from Fosun Pharma/BionTech that there may be a problem with the packaging with Comirnaty batch number 210102.

BioNTech requested that vaccinations stop during the investigation period, while stressing that this is just a precaution. The Department of Health (DoH) and the CHP have decided that all local vaccinations in Hong Kong using Fosun BioNTech vaccine known as Comirnaty will stop until further notice. 

Director of Health Dr. Constance Chan said the DoH has stringent protocols to monitor the distribution of medications locally.

Hong Kong has imported two batches of BioNTech vaccine:
585,000 doses on 28 February 2021 – Batch Number 210102.
758,000 doses on 7 March 2021 – Batch Number 210104.
150,000 doses from batch number 210102 have been used as of 23 March.

Dr. Chan said since these vaccinations have begun health staff have filed the following reports:
8 incidents when staff found cracks in the container.

22 incidents of leakage due to overpressure in the vile.

16 incidents of loose caps or caps that were not straight were found.

8 incidents where marks or dirt were found on the bottle

To be extra cautious whenever staff found abnormalities, they did not use these viles and threw them away.

Dr. Chan commented that those who have been vaccinated should not worry as there are very strict protocols for the staff to follow. This was echoed by Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan who wanted to remind people that there is no evidence of any problems with the doses already administered to people in Hong Kong.

Thru their distributor Fosun Hong Kong, the Government submitted feedback to the manufacturer BioNTech. The manufacturer recommended Hong Kong suspend use of Batch Number 210102 temporarily. Batch Number 210104 is still in the warehouse and Fosun recommended that this batch not be used for the moment too. Dr. Constance Chan said that they will await the report from BioNTech as to whether batch 210104 can be used. If not, this batch will be returned, and HKGOV will request a new batch from BioNTech.


This morning an investigation was launched by the DoH. Fosun will request BioNTech to review the procedures inside their manufacturing plant. While locally Fosun will review the arrival procedures to see if their handling in Hong Kong had anything to do with these events.

Beyond those waiting for their first dose are those waiting for the second dose. The first group of which are scheduled for this Saturday, 27 March. The DoH is pressuring BioNTech for a prompt response and report.  Currently, the DoH procedure is to administer the 2nd doses on day 21. Although there are studies and recommendations that suggest the second dose be effective up to Day 42. Dr. Chan said the DoH preference is to continue with day 21 but this all depends on what the manufacturer says.

Statement from Fosun Pharma

Fosun received written notice from BioNTech on the evening of 23 March 2021 informing them that there may be a “small number of defects related to the cap of the vial” in batch number 210102.

Fosun added that “As, at the date of this announcement, there is no evidence to suggest that the safety of the relevant batches of product may be at risk.”

Fosun BioNTech Batch No 210102

The Governments of HKSAR and Macao SAR have temporarily suspended Covid-19 vaccinations using Comirnaty.

A press release issued by the Hong Kong Government at 10am 24 March, read below or here, said that it had received notice from the manufacturer that there may be a packaging defect with the closure of the medicine bottle.

For the sake of caution, the government has decided to suspend all vaccinations using this type of vaccine during the investigation period.

BionTech and Fosun Pharma have not found any reasons to believe safety has been compromised. The Department of Health will be having an emergency meeting with the distributors to understand the incident.

Hong Kong currently has two batches of vaccine including Batch Number 210102 (expires 21 June) and 210104. Batch number 210104 will remain sealed and unused until an investigation has been carried out.

For those already vaccinated, which includes bc magazine staff, there has been no notification from the manufacturer that the improper closure is harmful. It may though affect the efficacy of the vaccine.

Suspension of BioNTech vaccination
*****************************
The Government received written notification from Fosun Industrial Co., Limited this morning (March 24) that as notifications of observed deviations in the vial seal of Comirnaty vaccine (BioNTech) product (batch 210102 (Expiry 06/2021)) were received, BioNTech and Fosun Pharma have initiated an investigation to identify the root cause of these packaging issues. For the sake of prudence, the concerned vaccination should be suspended immediately for the time being while investigation is ongoing.
So far, BioNTech and Fosun Pharma have no reason to believe that there is a risk to product safety. However, for the sake of prudence, vaccination of the batch 210102 should be suspended until the investigation is completed. Meanwhile, batch 210104, another batch of BioNTech vaccines procured by Hong Kong, should also be put on hold and not be administered. This is a precautionary measure to continuously ensure vaccine safety.
As BioNTech vaccines procured by Hong Kong belong to the above batches, all Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) stopped vaccinating BioNTech vaccine with immediate effect today until further notice. Those who have made appointments to receive BioNTech vaccination from today onwards need not go to CVC for vaccination.
The Department of Health will hold an urgent meeting with Fosun Industrial Co., Limited today to obtain further details of the incident and discuss on the follow up measures.

This post will be updated as more information is available:
Edited 13:42 added English press release and link

For more information on Covid-19 in Hong Kong see the government website www.coronavirus.gov.hk

New Quarantine Hotel List Announced: 21 April – 19 June, 2021

An updated list of 30 designated quarantine hotels for the period 21 April – 19 June 2021 (third cycle) was released today.

The list of designated hotels in the third cycle and related details such as room rates have been uploaded to www.designatedhotel.gov.hk.

Or download the pdf here

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

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

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

Updated Social Distancing Measures – 18 February, 2021

Today the government updated the gazetted directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) to further tighten social distancing measures.

The updated directions are effective from 00:01, 18 February, 2021

Restaurants

Allowed to open to 10pm and a maximum of 4 persons will be allowed per table. Staff to ensure that customers… 

    • Wear masks 
    • Check their temperature
    • Do not allow more people than permitted 
    • Use hand sanitiser 
    • Make sure people are socially distanced. 
    • ALL patrons may only enter if they have scanned using the Leave Home Safe app or leave with the outlet their last name, mobile phone number and the time that person entered and exited the premises. All records must be kept for 31 days. 
    • Restaurants must also ensure that all working staff members are tested every 14 days. All test records must be kept for 31 days. 

For those restaurants that have not complied with all of the new conditions, these outlets will only be allowed to open till 6pm and a maximum of two people will be allowed on each table. 

Restaurants that fail to comply with these new rules could be fined up to HKD 50,000 or imprisoned for up 6 months. 

Premises That May ReOpen:
    • All sports ground both indoor and Outdoor 
    • Beauty parlours
    • Gyms
    • Massage parlours
    • Cinemas 
    • Amusement parks 
    • Video Game Centers 
    • Ice Skating Rinks
    • Bowling Alleys 
Premises That Remain Closed:
    • Party Rooms
    • Bathhouses 
    • Discos/Night Clubs 
    • Karaokes 
    • Mahjong Parlors
    • Swimming Pools
    • Beaches 
Public Gatherings:

    • No more than 2 persons can gather together at any one time.

New Arrangements For Sale of Lunar New Year Flowers

After originally cancelling the Lunar New Year (LNY) fairs. The Government has backtracked and announced new arrangements for the sale of New Year flowers from 6-11 February.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will now set up points of sale at the 15 sites originally designated for the LNY fairs. The number of stalls at the sites selling flowers will be reduced by approximately half.

A spokesman for the FEHD said, “The points of sale of New Year flowers will be opened during the period from 6-11 February. Stall operators may use the sites for free, but must comply with the ground rules and anti-epidemic measures, e.g. provision of hand sanitisers at stalls, provision of a list of staff and their contact information for tracing of confirmed cases, etc.”

“To make our anti-epidemic efforts effective, the footfall at points of sale will be monitored with the use of technology and various anti-epidemic measures will be strictly enforced. Stall operators and their staff at points of sale will also be required to undergo virus testing within 48 hours before the opening of the points of sale. The FEHD will provide one-off free testing services for them,” the spokesman added.

New Quarantine Hotel List Announced: 20 February – 20 April, 2021

An updated list of 36 designated quarantine hotels for the period 20 February to April 20 (second cycle) was released today.

27 per cent of the total number of rooms (~2700 rooms) in the second cycle will cost less than $500/night almost double that of the first cycle.

Hotels which have declined to continue participating in the ‘designated hotel program’ are: Luxe Manor, O’ Hotel, Eco Tree Sai Ying Pun, Mojo Nomad Aberdeen

The list of designated hotels in the second cycle and related details such as room rates have been uploaded to www.designatedhotel.gov.hk.

Or download the pdf [gview file=”https://www.bcmagazine.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/designated-hotel-list-v2_en.pdf”]