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CE meets Philippine senate president

Chief Executive John Lee today met visiting Philippine Senate President Juan Miguel Fernandez Zubiri to exchange views on matters of common interest.   Mr Lee said Hong Kong and the Philippines have maintained close exchanges and co-operation in various fields such as trade, investment and finance, and that Hong Kong is an important trading and investment partner for the Philippines and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries. He encouraged more Philippine enterprises and talent to develop in Hong Kong and make better use of its professional services and internationalised business environment for expanding into Mainland markets, including those of the Greater Bay Area.   As the city is striving for early entry to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the Chief Executive thanked the Philippines for its support in Hong Kong’s bid for accession. http://dlvr.it/SplQxC

Gradual helper admission necessary

To prevent imported COVID-19 cases, the Government must resume the admission of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to Hong Kong in a gradual and orderly manner, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said today.   Answering a lawmaker’s questions at the Legislative Council, Dr Law outlined a number of facilitative measures for FDHs to come to work in Hong Kong. From August 9, FDHs who have been fully vaccinated in Hong Kong before leaving may return and work in the city. In addition, the first designated quarantine facility has commenced operations since August 30, providing 409 rooms for FDH quarantine.   From September 20, the Government has also opened a total of 800 units in Phases 1 and 2 of the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre on Lantau Island for the quarantine of FDHs who have completed their jab courses in relevant Group A specified places, which currently include Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.   To further address FDH employers’ needs, an additional 200 units in the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre will be provided from October 22.   When asked whether the quarantine quota will first be allocated to families that urgently need to hire FDHs, Dr Law said it would not be easy to accord reservation priority at the Penny’s Bay centre because such arrangements would create controversies and administrative complications.   The Government will continue to refine the booking arrangements for the quarantine centre, and consider the need for further increasing the number of designated quarantine facilities, having regard to the worldwide and local epidemic situation, he emphasised.
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