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Feb exports value down 0.8%

The value of Hong Kong’s total exports decreased to $284.1 billion in February, down 0.8% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.   The value of imports of goods fell 1.8% to $325.7 billion for the same period.   A trade deficit of $41.7 billion, or 12.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in February.   Comparing the three-month period ending February with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 5.5%, while that of imports also increased 3.3%.   The Government noted that taking the first two months of the year together to remove the volatility caused by the difference in timing of the Lunar New Year, the value of exports posted a 16.6% growth against a very low base of comparison a year ago.   Exports to the Mainland and the US rose notably, while those to the European Union fell. Those to other major Asian markets recorded a mixed performance.   Looking ahead, the Gove

2 restricted areas set

The Government today made restriction-testing declarations to require people within two specified restricted areas in Sai Ying Pun and Causeway Bay to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing for COVID-19.   The Sai Ying Pun restricted area covers Kwan Yick Building Phase III at 271-285 Des Voeux Road West, while the Causeway Bay one covers Hoi Kung Court and Hoi To Court on Gloucester Road.   As confirmed cases were found in Kwan Yick Building Phase III and Hoi Kung Court, and subdivided units are common and the infection risk may be higher in these buildings, the Government believes it is necessary to issue restriction-testing declarations for both areas.   The declaration for the Sai Ying Pun restricted area took effect from 7.15pm and the one for the Causeway Bay restricted area began at 8pm.   Temporary specimen collection stations will be set up at the restricted areas. People in the Sai Ying Pun restricted area subject to compulsory testing will need to be tested by 2am, while those in the Causeway Bay restricted area need to undergo testing by 1am.   They will be arranged to undergo a nucleic acid test at the stations, where staff will collect samples through combined nasal and throat swabs.   The Government will arrange door-to-door specimen collection for people with impaired mobility and seniors.   It aims to finish the exercises in Sai Ying Pun at about 7am tomorrow and at 8am in Causeway Bay.   Those in the restricted areas who have undergone testing from March 15 to 17 and can provide the SMS notification containing the test results are not required to be tested again.   They must stay in their premises until all people have been tested and the results are mostly ascertained.   Anyone who had been present in either area for more than two hours from March 4 to 17, even if they were not in the restricted areas at the time the declaration took effect, must undergo compulsory testing before March 19.   The Government has prepared simple food for the residents restricted by the declarations, and the Home Affairs Department has set up an enquiry hotline 2835 1473.   The Social Welfare Department will also assist those affected.
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