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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 the specified restricted areas in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing for COVID-19.   The restricted areas include 7A-27A Pitt Street, 2-50 Tung On Street, 833-889 Canton Road and 10-16 Dundas Street in Yau Ma Tei as well as Mandarin Court, 647-651 Shanghai Street in Mong Kok.   After risk assessment, the Government believes it is necessary to issue restriction-testing declarations for the restricted areas to achieve the goal of zero cases in these districts with concerted efforts.   The declarations for Yau Ma Tei took effect at 7pm, while Mong Kok’s took effect at 8pm.   The Government will set up temporary specimen collection stations at the restricted areas and request people subject to compulsory testing in Yau Ma Tei to get tested before 2am. People within the Mong Kok restricted area have to get tested before midnight.   They will be arranged to undergo a nucleic acid test at specimen collection 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, or arrange for them to self-collect and submit the deep throat saliva specimens.   It aims to finish these exercises by around 7am tomorrow.   Those who have undergone testing from February 2 to 4 in the Yau Ma Tei restricted area and can provide the SMS notification or related certification containing the test results are not required to be tested again. But they must stay in their premises until all people in the area have been tested and the results are mostly ascertained.    The same applied to those who were tested from February 1 to 4 in the Mong Kok restricted areas.   According to the compulsory testing notice issued today, those who had been at these buildings for more than two hours from January 22 to February 4, even if they were not present in the restricted areas when the declaration took effect, must undergo compulsory testing by February 6.   The Government has prepared simple food and basic cleaning tools for the residents restricted by the declaration. The Home Affairs Department has set up a hotline 2835 1473 for these residents to make enquiries and seek assistance. The Social Welfare Department will also assist those affected.
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