Health, Safety and Environment Committee
Subsite Background

Update on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Preventive Measures

NOTICE

 

Ref. : HSE0053/21-22
To : All Staff & Students
From : Prof. Weixin Shang, 
Chairman, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Committee 
Date : 23 June 2022

 

Dear Colleagues and Students,

 

Following the latest announcement made by the HKSAR Government, the Health, Safety and Environment Committee would like to update colleagues and students on the following:

 

1. Implementation of Vaccine Pass

With the upward trend of daily new cases, the HKSAR Government urges citizens to vigilantly observe anti-epidemic measures and must prudently guard against the risk for an epidemic rebound, and immediately receive appropriate doses of COVID-19 vaccine thereby making best preparations for a possible epidemic rebound in future. In order to reduce the transmission risk brought by the relaxation of social distancing measure, the basic requirement for ordinary persons to enter premises applicable to Vaccine Pass is three doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

 

For details, please refer to implementation arrangements for Vaccine Pass.

For declaration of non-local vaccination records, please refer to

 

 

 

2. Handling of Positive Cases

For people who got RAT positive, please report the case through the "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test". The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health would require the relevant persons to undergo nucleic acid test.  

The relevant persons will be asked to assess health risk, transmission risks in home environment and risks of infection among household members through a set of risk assessment questions on the platforms. Based on the information provided, the Government will determine the most appropriate isolation arrangement and issue an isolation order for isolation at a government community isolation facility (CIF) and arrange transfer for the relevant persons as appropriate. Under circumstances where the risks could be controlled and taking into consideration home environment, the Government will also allow the relevant persons to stay home for self-isolation and will issue an isolation order to the relevant persons.

 

The following living conditions are generally considered not acceptable for home isolation:

  • those residing in subdivided flats or have to share toilets and / or kitchen with other non-household individuals
  • those without designated living space, including a dedicated bedroom for self-isolation
  • those without a designated toilet for the patient, or if thorough cleansing and disinfection of a share-used toilet after each use is not possible
  • those with household members belonging to the high risk group in the same living environment

 

For details, please refer to

 

 

 

 

3. Social Distancing Measures

The Government announced the gazettal in accordance with the public health emergency regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, which will largely extend the existing social distancing measures but require patrons of bars/pubs and clubs/nightclubs to present proof of a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) result obtained within 24 hours before entering the relevant premises. The mandatory mask-wearing requirement under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I) still prevails. Also, unless exempted, group gatherings of more than four persons in public places will remain prohibited.

 

For details, please refer to https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202206/14/P2022061400765.htm

 

 

 

 

4. Health Advice

In review of the recent reports on infection clusters in institutions and schools, all members of the Lingnan community are advised at all times to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is the key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. Special attention to the following highlights is required:

  • Colleagues please help remind their newly-admitted / prospective non-local students and staff members the fact that while HKSAR allows inbound travelers with two dosages of most vaccines to enter Hong Kong, the University will only allow students and staff members with three doses of vaccine to enter the campus. Students and staff members are strongly advised to receive three dosages of vaccines before they arrive Hong Kong.
  • All members shall wear masks on campus including indoor and outdoor at all times. It is important to wear a mask properly, including hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask.  In case wearing mask is not feasible, for example when having meal or shower, please keep at least 1.5 meters distance from others.  All members shall note the followings when wearing a mask:

    1. Choose the appropriate mask size to completely cover your nose, mouth and chin without gaps.

    2. Attain good seal with the face by minimizing air leak from edges.

    3. Masks with exhalation valve or vents which allow exhaling air to escape should not be used due to the fact that exhaled air are unfiltered and may pose a risk to surrounding people if the wearer is infected with COVID-19 or other respiratory infectious diseases.

    For details, please refer to the Supplementary Note on Use Mask Properly at https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/supplementary_note_on_use_mask_properly_choose_the_right_surgical_mask_eng.pdf
  • All hostel residents are reminded to be considerate and keep the shared facilities (lavatories, pantries) clean after use.
  • All members shall check your body temperature before coming back to campus. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, respiratory symptoms or sudden loss of taste or smell, you should seek medical advice promptly and not come back campus for classes or work.
  • Under Cap.599I, any person who is entering or present in public place cannot take off their mask for smoking. The scope of reasonable excuses for taking-off mask under Cap.599I does not include smoking. Smokers are more likely to touch their mask and face with their hands during smoking, leading to increased chance of infection. Besides, smoking damages lungs and weakens immunity. Smokers who have contracted COVID-19 are more likely to develop severe complications. We appeal to all members to avoid smoking in public places, including along the bridge connecting Main Campus and SEK Campus and Pan Sutong Sports Ground, and to quit smoking whenever possible. For information on smoking and COVID-19, please visit the website of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office or dial Quit line 1833 183.
  • To assist contact tracing, keep a diary of your schedule, for example, the places you visited and the name of people you had close contact on campus. You may also use the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app to keep your visit records.

 

 

 

Resources Corner

For information on COVID-19, please refer to the following links:

  1. HKSAR’s Thematic webpage on COVID-19: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/
  2. Webpage of Health, Safety and Environment Committee: https://www.ln.edu.hk/hse

  3. Tested positive or preliminary positive by Rapid Antigen Test (RAT): https://www.chp.gov.hk/ratp

  4. Tested positive or preliminary positive by Nucleic Acid Test: https://www.chp.gov.hk/cdpi

 

 

 

If you are confirmed as infected or under mandatory quarantine, please notify your department / office or any of the following teams as soon as possible:

 

During Office Hours 
COFMD (O & M) – Campus Support Office 2616-7134
Human Resources Office 2616-8962
Office of Student Affairs 2616-7309
During Non-Office Hours 
Security Control (24-hour) 2616-8000

 

Thank you for your kind attention.

 

Best Regards,

Weixin Shang
Chairman, Health, Safety and Environment Committee