7th January 2022 – (Hong Kong) Witman Hung, a local delegate to the National People’s Congress and the principal liaison officer of the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority for Hong Kong held a birthday party at a Spanish restaurant in Wan Chai on Monday. It is understood that one more person who attended the birthday party tested preliminarily positive COVID-19. The patient left the party at 8 pm.
More than one hundred people on the scene were listed as close contacts and must be sent to the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre for quarantine.
According to sources, the newly infected preliminary case is a TV broadcaster, Joyce Yeung who works at RTHK Television House.
Hung held a birthday party for more than 100 people at a restaurant in Causeway Centre in Wan Chai on Monday (3rd). Many officials and 19 Legislative Councillors attended the event, a preliminary COVID-19 case was confirmed subsequently. Those present at the event included members of Parliament Legislative Councillors Rock Chen Chung-nin, Benson Luk Hon-man and Duncan Chi as well as Caspar Tsui. Tik Chi-yuen who had lunch with Tsui a few days ago, has also been tested. It is understood that the preliminarily infected person was a young woman wearing a mask on the day of the event and only sent gift to congratulate Hung.
Carrie Lam said yesterday during a press conference that now that the Omicron variant virus has entered the community and she is very disappointed with so many officials attending the large gathering, especially Caspar Tsui because in contrast, the other nine senior officials were only invited to “greet or congratulate.” They did not stay behind to eat. so they did not take off their masks to communicate with others. Those who did stay behind left before 9.30pm. Lam pointed out that just as the whole city has been working hard to fight the epidemic for a long time, as an official, Tsui should set an example by strictly avoiding private gatherings. Obviously, this party was not necessary for official business.
Lam emphasised that individual officials should be held responsible for the incident, and reiterated that the entire anti-epidemic work requires the concerted efforts of the whole society. If the government formulates measures and regulations, they will not be able to fight the epidemic if they fail to comply. She pointed out that it was because of this that she was so disappointed with this group of government officials. Tsui has been listed as a close contact.
Lam said that she had requested the officials who had attended party to prove whether they had left before 9.30pm including the use of “LeaveHomeSafe” records, the entry and exit records of government drivers, Octopus card records when using public transport. Regarding Director of Immigration of Hong Kong, Au Ka-wang’s situation, Lam described it as “complicated” and needs to be handed over to the Centre for Health Protection to investigate whether the case has been classified as a close contact.
Lam stated that after internal investigation, Au claimed that he arrived at the venue after 9.30pm and he stayed only for a short while. He claimed that he did not visit the main part of the restaurant. As for whether he will be officially defined as a “close contact”, it must be decided by the Center for Health Protection.
Police Chief Raymond Siu and Hermes Tang Yi-hoi, a former Commissioner of Customs and Excise of Hong Kong was also present. Other Legislative Councillors present include Chan Pui-leung and Johnny Ng Kit-chong. Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan Jick–chi, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui Ching-yu, former member of the Central and Western District Council, Joseph Chan Ho-lim, Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr. David Chung Wai-keung, Lilian Cheong Man-lei, Political Assistant to Secy for Innovation & Technology Innovation and Technology Bureau, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Clement Woo, Ex-Director of Immigration of Hong Kong and Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in 2012, Simon Peh Yun-lu and Director of Immigration of Hong Kong, Au Ka-wang.