ENG-2020 — Page 19

Calendar of Events

2020

24

26

28

March

4

6

19

24

25

28

29

In response to the COVID-19 situation, the government issues its first Red Outbound Travel Alert, for Korea. It subsequently extends the Red alert to all overseas countries/ territories on 17 March, and advises the public to avoid any non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.

Delivering the 2020-21 Budget, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, announces a range of measures to assist the community and the economy, including a $10,000 cash payment for all Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above.

Cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze wins a bronze medal in the women's sprint event at the 2020 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Germany, securing two places for Hong Kong in both the women's sprint and keirin events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The government arranges eight chartered flights between 4 and 26 March to bring home 1,027 Hong Kong residents stranded in Hubei Province because of the pandemic.

The investment promotion and protection agreement between Hong Kong and the

United Arab Emirates comes into force.

The Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation comes into effect, extending compulsory quarantine to all persons arriving in Hong Kong from places outside China, regardless of whether or not they are Hong Kong residents.

The Chief Executive announces the appointment of Mr Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from 11 January 2021, when the Chief Justice, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, retires.

A ban on all non-Hong Kong residents arriving by air from overseas countries or regions comes into effect. All transit services at Hong Kong International Airport are suspended. All travellers coming from Macao and Taiwan are subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine.

The Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation takes effect. To combat the spread of COVID-19, various social distancing measures are introduced, including requiring tables at restaurants to be separated by at least 1.5 metres or partitioning and allowing only four people to be seated at each table.

The Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation takes effect, banning gatherings of more than four people in a public place.