Civil Service Newsletter Issue 112

Message from the Chief Executive

President Xi Jinping’s arrival to inspect Hong Kong and attend the meeting celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Four Sessions on “Spirit of the President’s Important Speech” held by Civil Service Bureau

Uniting expertise: civil servants fight epidemic together

Leveraging technologies in fight against COVID-19

Explanation of WCAG 2.0 Level Double-A Conformance

Uniting expertise: civil servants fight epidemic together

Civil Service Newsletter Editorial Board

EARLY this year, the fifth wave of the epidemic took a turn for the worse and brought unprecedented challenges to Hong Kong. The Government assumed the primary responsibility for the anti-epidemic work and utilised all available manpower and resources to fight against and control the epidemic situation as quickly as possible.

The civil service, as the backbone of the Government, is obligated and assumes an important role in the fight against the virus. As the fifth wave is more severe than previous ones, the anti-epidemic measures involve a wide range of sectors and require enormous human resources. Regardless of their departments and grades, civil servants, whether civilian or disciplined services staff, are all mobilised to take up various roles in the anti-epidemic work.

Since the outbreak of the fifth wave, over 140,000 government employees have participated in the anti-epidemic work at different times and in different roles, accounting for 70% of the total number of government employees.

Despite facing unprecedented pressure, various Bureaux and Departments displayed solidarity, responsiveness and flexibility, which coupled with the proactive participation of civil servants at all ranks, are indispensable to the quick and smooth implementation of the anti-epidemic measures. Nevertheless, various departments also strive to maintain public services and provide frontline and backend support in the fight against the virus.

In face of the ever-evolving situation, the civil service will continue to uphold the spirit of serving the public, stay committed to their duties and firmly stand by the public in the fight against the epidemic.

Please click below for more details.

	Promoting Vaccination
	Mobilising the Affected Trades to Join Anti-epidemic Work
	Distributing Anti-epidemic Service Bags
	Coordination and Distribution of Anti-epidemic Supplies from the Mainland
	Support for Persons under Home Isolation or Quarantine
	Support for Various Sectors

	Risk-based Testing Strategy
	Contact Tracing, Notification of Confirmed Cases and Follow-up Work
	Community Isolation and Treatment Arrangements
	Other Anti-epidemic Support
	Civil Servants Fighting the Virus with You

Other Anti-epidemic Support

Back to the outbreak in February 2020, DoJ pioneered a fund-raising and volunteer campaign to purchase badly needed anti-epidemic items to support vulnerable groups in society. Over 70 staff members of DoJ participated either by donating money (of some $120,000) or taking part in the packaging of the anti-epidemic items. The anti-epidemic items were donated to four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in March and May 2020 respectively. DoJ sustained its effort and initiated another fund-raising campaign for an NGO in March and April 2022. Again, over $100,000 was raised through donation within DoJ to support the under-priviledged groups hard hit by the fifth wave through provision of food packs and lunch boxes. — Back to the outbreak in February 2020, **DoJ** pioneered a fund-raising and volunteer campaign to purchase badly needed anti-epidemic items to support vulnerable groups in society. Over 70 staff members of DoJ participated either by donating money (of some $120,000) or taking part in the packaging of the anti-epidemic items. The anti-epidemic items were donated to four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in March and May 2020 respectively.

**DoJ** sustained its effort and initiated another fund-raising campaign for an NGO in March and April 2022. Again, over $100,000 was raised through donation within **DoJ** to support the under-priviledged groups hard hit by the fifth wave through provision of food packs and lunch boxes.

On 14 and 16 March 2022, AMS was invited by the Anti-epidemic Task Force of SB to conduct an "Infection Control Course" for frontline officers of the Task Force, including officers of the disciplinary force and non-civil service contract staff from the tourism and sports sectors. — On 14 and 16 March 2022, **AMS** was invited by the Anti-epidemic Task Force of SB to conduct an "Infection Control Course" for frontline officers of the Task Force, including officers of the disciplinary force and non-civil service contract staff from the tourism and sports sectors.

AMS deployed members to Fu Shan Public Mortuary and Kwai Chung Public Mortuary to assist with various duties such as handling a large number of deceased bodies, providing clerical support, etc. on an urgent basis as per the request of DH. In view of the special nature of the duties, AMS quickly organised a video workshop to brief the members about the duties, and help them get prepared physically and mentally before commencement of their work. — **AMS** deployed members to Fu Shan Public Mortuary and Kwai Chung Public Mortuary to assist with various duties such as handling a large number of deceased bodies, providing clerical support, etc. on an urgent basis as per the request of DH. In view of the special nature of the duties, **AMS** quickly organised a video workshop to brief the members about the duties, and help them get prepared physically and mentally before commencement of their work.

CSD officer conducted disinfection at vacant cells, making them ready for newly confirmed cases at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre. — **CSD** officer conducted disinfection at vacant cells, making them ready for newly confirmed cases at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.

OGCIO launched the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app in November 2020 to provide members of the public with a convenient digital tool to record the time of their visits to different premises. It would send exposure notifications to enhance their vigilance and remind them to undergo testing so as to reduce the risk of further spreading the virus in the community. New functions would be added to the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app in a timely manner in light of the latest development of the epidemic. Currently, the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app has recorded over 8 million downloads and gained the support and participation of over 130,000 public and private venues. — **OGCIO** launched the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app in November 2020 to provide members of the public with a convenient digital tool to record the time of their visits to different premises. It would send exposure notifications to enhance their vigilance and remind them to undergo testing so as to reduce the risk of further spreading the virus in the community. New functions would be added to the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app in a timely manner in light of the latest development of the epidemic. Currently, the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app has recorded over 8 million downloads and gained the support and participation of over 130,000 public and private venues.

Braving the biting wind and chilly rain
• HKPF fights COVID-19 with you

To safeguard public health, HKPF officers and Special Constables joined hands with officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), HAD, LCSD, LD to conduct patrols and prosecutions in crowded spots on 19 and 20 February 2022 as a complement to the Government’s tightening of a host of social distancing measures.

This Facebook Page shows that in an operation, officers of each unit reminded citizens to pay attention to personal hygiene and abide by a set of regulations related to social distancing, group gatherings and the wearing of face masks, so as to stop the epidemic from spreading further. Fixed penalty notices were issued to individuals suspected of violating the relevant regulations.

The Government implemented the “Vaccine Pass” by phases starting from 24 February 2022 to encourage more people to get vaccinated while allowing Hong Kong citizens to resume normal life safely. OGCIO implemented the “QR Code Verification Scanner” to help premises operators to quickly identify whether the “Vaccine Pass” QR codes of persons entering the premises meet the requirements. An updated version of the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app was also launched to support automatic display of QR code of electronic vaccination records to facilitate citizens’ visits to designated “Vaccine Pass” premises. — The Government implemented the “Vaccine Pass” by phases starting from 24 February 2022 to encourage more people to get vaccinated while allowing Hong Kong citizens to resume normal life safely. **OGCIO** implemented the “QR Code Verification Scanner” to help premises operators to quickly identify whether the “Vaccine Pass” QR codes of persons entering the premises meet the requirements. An updated version of the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app was also launched to support automatic display of QR code of electronic vaccination records to facilitate citizens’ visits to designated “Vaccine Pass” premises.

With the collaborative effort of DEVB, the Lands Department (LandsD), DH, OGCIO and volunteers from the information technology industry, the Government launched the “Interactive Map Dashboard on the Latest Situation of Coronavirus Disease in Hong Kong” (“the Dashboard”) in February 2020. It enables members of the public to know more about the latest situation of the epidemic and other relevant information. So far the Dashboard has recorded over 79 million views. — With the collaborative effort of **DEVB**, the **Lands Department (LandsD)**, DH, **OGCIO** and volunteers from the information technology industry, the Government launched the “Interactive Map Dashboard on the Latest Situation of Coronavirus Disease in Hong Kong” (“the Dashboard”) in February 2020. It enables members of the public to know more about the latest situation of the epidemic and other relevant information. So far the Dashboard has recorded over 79 million views.

During the fifth wave of the epidemic, with the collaborative effort of DH and other departments, temporary body storage facilities were set up at government sites near the Fu Shan Public Mortuary in Sha Tin to expand storage capacity to meet the emergency need.

FEHD staff ensuring strict compliance with the requirements of the “Vaccine Pass”. — **FEHD** staff ensuring strict compliance with the requirements of the “Vaccine Pass”.

FEHD and HKPF took joint enforcement actions. — **FEHD** and **HKPF** took joint enforcement actions.