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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

Most social distancing rules kept

The Government announced that it will maintain most of the social distancing measures currently in place for 14 days starting tomorrow and introduce event premises as a new type of scheduled premises.   The Food & Health Bureau said it noted that the public may not be fully certain of the restrictions and requirements applicable to individual activities, especially for closed-door activities held in premises accessible by the public.   To enhance clarity, the bureau explained that it will introduce a new type of scheduled premises, event premises, where specified events such as meetings, forums, symposiums, exhibitions and ceremonial and celebratory occasions, including weddings and business meetings, can be conducted subject to the adoption of relevant infection control measures.   If at least two-thirds of the participants have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the number of people allowed entry would be 100% of the normal capacity of the event premises, otherwise it would be 50% of the normal capacity.   No more than four people or the number of people living in the same household, whichever is more, may be allowed in each group of guests or participants, except when they are participating in a photo-taking session and wearing a mask.   For seating at an auditorium setting or spectator stands, seats to be occupied must not exceed 85% of the seating capacity and no more than six consecutive seats in the same row may be occupied.   Meanwhile, itineraries for cruises to nowhere can resume from July 30 subject to cruise operators' compliance with a set of infection control measures that require them to adopt a maximum 50% of the passenger capacity on a cruise ship.   All crew members and passengers must be fully vaccinated before commencement of a cruise journey, except for those who can produce a valid medical certificate to prove that they are unfit to do so because of health reasons.   All crew members are still required to undergo regular COVID-19 nucleic acid testing, while all passengers must present a proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within 48 hours prior to boarding.   The Government added that the existing restrictions and requirements on catering businesses, bars and pubs and other scheduled premises will be maintained.   The current prohibition on group gatherings of more than four people in public places, as well as the mask-wearing requirement will also continue.
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