Publications and Press Releases

25 May 2021

The Immigration Department (ImmD) today (May 25) said that in relation to a person who had visited the Fo Tan Office of ImmD and had subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, the Government exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and published in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at the relevant office for more than one hour on April 30 or May 11 to undergo COVID-19 nucleic acid testing. The office had suspended service today and public services of the office will be resumed tomorrow (May 26).

The person concerned approached the office for registration and collection of an identity card on April 30 and May 11, and briefly stayed there for less than 20 and five minutes, respectively. In accordance with the CHP's advice, the ImmD had conducted a thorough cleaning and sterilisation at the office, and had arranged all staff of the office to undergo COVID-19 testing. Members of the public who have appointments at the Fo Tan Office may consider proceeding to the office in the days ahead, or other Registration of Persons Offices for identity card applications or other branch offices for travel document applications without the need to make another appointment. Information on the address and working hours of other Registration of Persons Offices and other branch offices can be obtained at www.immd.gov.hk/eng/contactus/address.html. For enquiries during the closure of the office, please contact the ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline 3521 6565 (for identity card related enquiries) or 2852 3045 (for travel document related enquiries) during office hours.

During the situation of COVID-19 infection, the department has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures, including measuring the body temperature of and providing alcohol-based handrub to all persons before their entry into the building, providing employees with masks and other protective equipment, requiring employees to wear masks when performing duties, and stepping up cleaning and sterilising measures for the working environment.

The department will continue to maintain close liaison with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and co-operate with the CHP's quarantine arrangements. It has also reminded its staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant. Staff have been reminded to seek medical advice and inform the department as soon as possible if feeling unwell.