Speaking at a press conference today (May 17), Hong Kong' Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that the government restructuring plan will be submitted to the Legislative Council for scrutiny.

The Department of Health (DH) today (May 17) urged members of the public to support World Hypertension Day, held on May 17 every year, by paying attention to their blood pressure level with regular checks and leading a healthy lifestyle to fight against non-communicable diseases including hypertension.

A Hong Kong government spokesman announced today (May 17) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland in the past day was sufficient and stable.

Standard Chartered Bank, a leading international banking group, has committed to a $300 million investment over the next three years into its China-related businesses, according to a senior executive of the company.

In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Sai Kung, Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City and Wong Tai Sin Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (May 16) that the Sai Kung District Office (SKDO), Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO), Kowloon City District Office (KCDO) and Wong Tai Sin District Office (WTSDO) have distributed a total of about 218 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) will issue Renminbi Bills through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).

Hong Kong's economy will become more stable and can achieve mild growth once the COVID-19 pandemic is contained and market confidence returns, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (May 16) that nine sports centres managed by the LCSD will gradually reopen for public use starting from May 24 (Tuesday). These venues were temporarily closed earlier for anti-epidemic purposes.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today (May 17)at a press conference that the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has stabilized over the past week and the risk remains manageable, with the number of confirmed cases remaining at 200 to 300 per day.

Carrie Lam, said today (May 17) that more than 10,000 foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) had come to Hong Kong in the month and a half from April 1 to May 15.

The Government announced on Monday (May 16) that it will accept the vaccination records issued by Ecuador, Kenya, Seychelles and Venezuela as recognised vaccination records for persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in overseas places. The relevant arrangements will take effect at 0.00am on May 18 (Wednesday). The Government also reminds persons travelling to Hong Kong that the COVID-19 testing certificates under the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EU DCC) mechanism can serve as a documentary proof for pre-boarding nucleic acid tests.

The Chief Executive-elect, John Lee, met with Legislative Council (the LegCo) Members in batches on Monday (May 16) to gauge their views on the new-term Government and facilitate mutual communication and understanding. He met with legislators from the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, G19 and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong on Monday.

Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the LegCo website's Webcast system. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

The CFS has inspected the importer's warehouse in Sheung Shui, marked and sealed the affected batches of frozen shrimp, and will arrange their disposal. In addition, the CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and will step up sampling of similar products for testing.

The Transport Department (TD) announced today (May 16) that the second phase of the Driving on Lantau Island Scheme (DLS) will commence from July 1 in view of the keen demand.