6 January 2022
The Immigration Department (ImmD) today (January 6) said that in relation to a case tested preliminarily positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus who had visited the Hong Kong Island Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre (the Centre), the Government exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and published in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which required any person who had been present at the Centre during the period from 5pm to 6pm on December 30, 2021 to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test. The Centre will suspend service today. Public services of the Centre will be resumed tomorrow (January 7).
Members of the public who have appointments may consider proceeding to the Centre in the days ahead, or the other eight Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs) for replacement of identity cards without the need to make another appointment. Information on the address and working hours of the other eight SIDCCs can be obtained at www.smartid.gov.hk/en/Where-to-replace-identity-cards/index.html. For enquiries during the closure of the Centre, please contact the ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline 3521 1688 from 9am to 5pm.
During the situation of COVID-19 infection, the ImmD has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures, including measuring the body temperature of and providing alcohol-based handrub to all persons before their entry into the offices, providing employees with masks and other protective equipments, requiring employees to wear masks when performing duties, and stepping up the cleaning and sterilising measures for the working environment.
The ImmD will continue to maintain close liaison with the Centre for Health Protection. The ImmD has also reminded its staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant. Staff have been reminded to seek medical advice and inform the department as soon as possible if feeling unwell.