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Apr exports value down 13%

The value of Hong Kong's total exports decreased to $338.3 billion in April, down 13% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.   The value of imports of goods decreased 11.9% to $374.9 billion for the same period.   A trade deficit of $36.6 billion, or 9.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in April.   Comparing the three-month period ending April with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 15.4%, while that of imports increased 10.7%.   The Government noted that the value of merchandise exports declined further from a year earlier in April. Exports to the Mainland, the US and the European Union all shrank and exports to other major Asian markets recorded decreases of varying degrees.   Looking ahead, it added that the weakness in the advanced economies will continue to weigh on Hong Kong's export performance, though the expected faster recovery of the Mainland economy should

Vaccinated staff exempt from testing

Staff of residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs), residential care homes for persons with disabilities (RCHDs) and nursing homes who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course are exempted from the regular compulsory testing.   The Government made the announcement today as the Secretary for Food & Health amended the compulsory testing notice for the 14th round of compulsory testing for such staff.   According to the compulsory testing notice issued on April 26, those who are employed by and will be on duty at RCHEs, RCHDs, nursing homes and day service units attached to the premises of residential care homes between May 14 and 27 must undergo nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 during the period from April 30 to May 13.   Such a requirement also applies to those who will provide services to residents or users through hire-of-service contracts.   Those who received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine 14 days before the end of the testing period are not required to undergo the specified test.   However, they can still receive the free testing service if they voluntarily choose to undergo the test, the Government added.
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