February 4 - 10, 2020

HEALTH

Mandatory quarantine for travelers arriving from Mainland

The implementation of a 14-day compulsory quarantine on people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland, effective Feb 8, has been smooth in general, with the cross-boundary flow of people between Hong Kong and the Mainland reduced significantly as expected and that the requirement for people issued with quarantine orders to stay at home will help reduce the risk of the spread of the virus in the community.

Under this measure, Hong Kong residents, Mainland residents and visitors from other places, are required to stay at home or other accommodation for a 14-day compulsory quarantine upon entry, even if they have not developed any symptoms and passed temperature checks. They are prohibited to go out or leave Hong Kong. Offenders are subject to a fine of US$3,205 and imprisonment for six months.

Refuting rumors (Feb 5), the Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that freight services between the Mainland and Hong Kong will not be affected. The supply of daily goods and food products remains normal and there is no shortage of food in the city.

Separately, the SARG has been adopting a multi-pronged approach to procure surgical masks globally through different channels and means. The Government is prioritizing the distribution of surgical masks in accordance with the risk level, with priority given to healthcare workers and personnel providing care services; and personnel who provide essential services and who are required to have contact with the public at work.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Some overseas airmail services subject to delay

Hongkong Post announced (Feb 7) that, due to flight adjustments of some airlines, airmail services to a number of destinations, including the United States of America, United Kingdom, Argentina, Brazil and Chile may be subject to delay.

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Hong Kong fashion shines in New York

Hong Kong’s vibrant fashion and style took to the runway at New York Fashion Week (Feb 6), presenting 36 unique creations by three leading Hong Kong fashion brands – Harrison Wong, Heaven Please+ and Sun=Sen. Aside from the Fashion Hong Kong show, industry elites and style influencers learned more about the latest in Hong Kong’s fashion at the after-show event - Fashion Hong Kong Night. To further promote the city’s fashion brands and foster exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong designers and international buyers, emerging Hong Kong fashion accessories and apparel brands are featured in Fashion Hong Kong Showroom (Feb 4 - Mar 5).

HKETONY EVENTS

New York-area students gather at HKETONY

HKETONY hosted a gathering for Hong Kong students studying at different universities in New York (Feb 7), where they shared their study abroad experience. Director of HKETONY Joanne Chu welcomed the students and introduced to them the role and work of the office. Head of CreateHK Victor Tsang, who was in town for Fashion Hong Kong events, also joined the gathering and shared the Hong Kong SAR Government’s policies in nurturing the next generation of creative talents.

KEY INDICATORS

Economy

• Total retail sales in December fell 19.4% year-on-year to US$4.6 billion. For 2019 as a whole, the value of total retail sales was provisionally estimated at US$55.2 billion, down 11.1% in value and 12.3% in volume compared with 2018.

• Hong Kong’s foreign currency reserve assets rose to US$445.9 billion in January from US$441.4 billion in December 2019. The reserve assets represent more than six times the currency in circulation or about 46% of Hong Kong dollar M3. There were no unsettled foreign exchange contracts in January and last December.

LAW & ORDER

US-bound counterfeit goods seized

Hong Kong Customs conducted a targeted operation in January to combat cross-boundary counterfeiting activities involving goods destined for the United States, seizing about 10,000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about US$141,025. Through intelligence exchanges with the US customs authorities, Hong Kong Customs took enforcement action in January and stepped up inspection against suspicious express consignments destined for the United States.

BASIC LAW

Hong Kong and its Basic Law

The Basic Law (BL) is the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Put into effect on July 1, 1997, it enshrines within a legal document the important concept of “One Country, Two Systems".

Q: Does the HKSAR Government have complete control over fiscal and economic policies and safeguard the free movement of goods, assets and capital?

A: The HKSAR Government formulates its own economic policies; manages its finances independently; prepares its own budgets; issues its own freely convertible currency; practices an independent taxation system; keeps its low and simple tax regime; formulates its own monetary and financial policies; safeguards the free flow of capital; maintains the status of a free port; pursues a policy of free trade and protects the free movement of goods, intangible assets and capital. (BL Articles 62; 106-119)