2020.02.09 Currently 3,000 travelers have been quarantined aboard the “Diamond Princess” cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan, 200 of whom come from Hong Kong. Today, another 6 patients have been confirmed to have the coronavirus bringing the total to 70 people. The DAB has continuously received pleas for assistance from Hong Kong travelers aboard the ship, such as running out of critical medicines. Some of the Hong Kong travelers have asked for immediate assistance from the HKSAR government, just like other countries that have asked Japan for assistance in repatriating their citizens home. DAB Legislator Vincent Cheng has written a letter to the Chief Executive with these proposals: Immediately send medicines to those who need them on the ship. Send a special team to Japan with staff from the Immigration department and from the FEHD to support and assist affected travelers from Hong Kong. Set up an assistance hotline for Hong Kong travelers on the ship and regularly send updates to and provide emotional support for them. Make a request to quickly set up a quarantine on land. Study the quarantine option for these travelers when they return to Hong Kong We also sought for assistance from the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR. Media Inquiries: Vincent Cheng 6373 1979​

2020.02.07 The spread of the new coronavirus is still ongoing and has had major effects on the quality of life for the general public. DAB Legislative Councillors Vincent Cheng, Leung Che-Cheung, Ben Chan as well as Kwun Tong District Council Frankie Ngan along with Chairperson of the DAB Family Affairs Committee Jacqueline Chung met with Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr. Law Chi-Kwong and political assistant Henry Fung. The DAB strongly urges the government to speed up the procurement process to ensure a sufficient supply of masks for local residents. Secretary Law replied that the government has already procured masks globally via different channels and means. Also, the DAB has received many inquiries from cross-boundary container truck drivers who are worried that they must stop work or become under-employed due to the 14-day quarantine. The Secretary replied that freight services between the Mainland and Hong Kong will not be affected and logistics drivers between the two places will be exempt from the quarantine. The DAB has proposed the following 6 supportive measures over this difficult period. 1) The government should quickly set up an “unemployment assistance fund”. Recently the Chief Executive announced the $10 billion fund would be set up to fight for the outbreak and we strongly urge the government to announce its details as soon as possible. We propose that there should be funding earmarked to help those who are now unemployed due to the crisis. Also, in January the government proposed that the Community Care Fund will lay out time-limited cash allowances for the unemployed and the under-employed. We hope the government can quickly release the details of this project and hand them out before October this year. 2) Provide free masks to the elderly and the disadvantaged The government should optimize the use of the masks reserve and distribute free masks, bleach and hand sanitizers to the elderly and the disadvantaged. The government should ensure that childcare centres, senior care centres and organisations providing integrated family services have sufficient preventive supplies. 3) Ensure that cleansing workers and security guards from outsourcing companies have sufficient protection The government should give priority to these frontline workers when handing out masks. The Labour Department should inform employers that they must prevent workers from working without adequate protection. 4) Support cross-border workers and their families Recently the government imposed a 14-day mandatory quarantine on all the people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland. The government should quickly explain the details of quarantine arrangements to remove any worries of the general public. 5) Assist domestic helpers stranded in the Philippines to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible We urge the Immigration Department and the Consulate proactively address this situation and assist domestic helpers stranded in the Philippines to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible. 6) Set up a “frontline medical staff allowance” Many existing and retired medical staff still stand firm on their post to take care patients. We urge the government to disburse a one-time “frontline medical staff allowance” to them. After reports on the actions by the medical workers’ union, strikes are brewing in other unions such as the airline trade union. The government should intervene in related issues in time to stop these potential strikes from threatening the stability of Hong Kong society. Media Inquiries: Legislative Councilor and DAB Spokesperson on Manpower Vincent Cheng (6373 1979) Legislative Councilor and DAB Spokesperson on Welfare Services Leung Che-Cheung (9016 8088) Legislative Councilor and DAB Spokesperson on Welfare Services Ben Chan (9274 7035)

2020.02.06 From now until April the REO will issue inquiry letters to about 90 000 voters asking them to confirm or update their registered addresses before May 2, or else they will lose their right as voters if they do not reply. We are very worried that this course of action will lead many voters to lose their voting rights. The REO did not account for the fact that it is now a critical period for the postal service and still inflexibly sent out a large amount of inquiry letters. At the meanwhile, the HKSAR government has announced the suspension of many border crossings that many Hong Kong residents outside Hong Kong do not know what time they can come back and receive the letters in time. We consider that all the government departments, including the REO, should appeal to the public to stay at home. Therefore, we urge the REO to: 1) delay sending out the letters and also push back the deadline for reply from voters 2) provide alternate ways to message voters to confirm their status as voters during this time. Media Inquiries: DAB Legislative Councilor Horace Cheung 9681 8757

2020.02.06 The spread of the coronavirus is ongoing and classes are suspended. Many parents are worried about the impact on their children’s studies and arrangements for the resumption of classes. On the other hand, some businesses have requested staff to take unpaid leave. All these reflected the severe effects of the epidemic on daily life. The DAB Family Affairs Committee urges the government to provide various emergency measures to support families. 1. Set up a salary subsidy for SME employees We propose providing a salary subsidy for employees of SMEs to ease their financial burden during the epidemic. 2. Take note of childcare service We urge the government to discuss feasible childcare service with different sectors to ease the pressure on dual-income families. 3. Quickly announce DSE and mark submission arrangements The government and the Examinations and Assessment Authority should provide contingency solutions and quickly announce arrangements to ease the worries of parents. 4. Set up home learning arrangements The Education Bureau should provide guidelines to schools requesting them to optimize the use of electronic platform to disseminate exercises in order to achieve the goal of “suspending classes without suspending learning”. 5. Provide subsidies for school fees and miscellaneous expenses We urge the government consider paying the school fees, fees for transport, lunch and extracurricular activities of government and aided schools and also Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools. 6. Extend the application period for the $2500 student subsidy Extend the application period for the $2500 student subsidy to two weeks after class resumption. 7. Schools should provide sufficient supplies of anti-contagion products The government must ensure that all schools organize disinfection and have sufficient supplies of anti-contagion products before class resumption. 8. Hand out free masks to families The government should follow overseas examples and hand out free masks to all families in Hong Kong, optimize the use of the stock in Government Logistics Department by providing free masks to the disadvantaged, hospitals and other frontline personnel. The government should update the information about masks and other protective products on a daily basis, such as the progress of global procurement, quantities reaching Hong Kong and their distribution in the market. The government should reach agreements with retailers to implement a purchase limit so that the general public is able to buy masks and other preventive products. 9. Fund mask production in local factories Implement ways to assist local mask production to ease the shortage. 10. Speed up the procurement of anti-contagion products Assist local suppliers to speed up the searching of new sources and procurement of masks and anti-contagion products. 11. Raise the maternity leave pay Lengthening maternity leave to 14 weeks is still yet to be discussed in LegCo and we urge raising the maternity leave to full pay. 12. Establish tax deductions for hiring domestic helpers Help the middle class and families with seniors and children. 13. Increase the Child Allowance Increase the Child Allowance from $120,000 to $132,000 to make it in line with the basic allowance. 14. Set up a new childcare allowance Set up a new childcare allowance with at least $600 per month to the eligible families with children aged 3 or younger. 15. Set up children’s health vouchers Set up $2000 children’s health vouchers for children aged 12 or under or every eligible primary school student per year. Media Inquiries: DAB Family Affairs Committee Chairperson Jacqueline Chung 5109 8058 DAB Legislative Councilor Vincent Cheng 6373 1979​

2020.02.05 Recently there are claims that the government was going to use the newly completed Wui Chi House in Tung Wui Estate as a coronavirus quarantine centre. The DAB was very concerned about this and met with officials from the Housing Authority (HA) on February 5th. HA officials replied that the Chief Executive has already said in her press conference on January 28th that the government has no intention to use newly completed and uninhabited Public Rental Housing buildings as quarantine centres. The HAhas no plans to use Wui Chi House as a quarantine centre and the erroneous reports are only rumours. Residents have no reason to be alarmed. Wilson Or has noticed that many cleansing and security contractors at public housing estates lack sufficient anti-contagion products. Wilson hopes the government can help them procure related supplies such as masks, protective clothing and antiseptic products to ensure the continuity of service will not be disrupted by running out of these supplies. Media Inquiries: Wilson Or 9266 1035 Lee Tak Hong 5938 2462​

2020.02.05 The government imposed a 14-day mandatory quarantine on all the people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland in accordance with the “Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance and suspended the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the Ocean Terminal. That it is a step forward in controlling the spread of infection by reducing the number of cross-border travelers. We urge the government to quickly announce the details about the quarantine for citizens to collaborate, and explain the special arrangement for people serving in the forwarding and logistics sector to ensure that logistics services between the Mainland and Hong Kong will not be affected and avoid panic buying. For the World Dream Cruise docked at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, we urge the government to temporarily quarantine the ship until medical testing and the incubation period of the virus has passed. The government should contact the 206 passengers who left the cruise in late January as soon as possible for they may have been in contact with coronavirus patients and follow up on their cases to prevent the spread of infection. Media Inquiries: DAB Legislative Councilor and spokesperson on Health Ann Chiang 25396111 / 97575225

2020.02.04 Under the threat posed by the spread of covid-19, Hong Kong is short of masks and other protective products. Unscrupulous merchants hike the prices of masks and disinfectant products while some of them even try to hoard supplies and sell the substandard products. According to information provided by the government, there are currently nearly 11 million masks in the storage of the Government Logistics Department. We urge the government to hand out these masks which are not urgently needed to the general public for free. In order to crack down unscrupulous merchants, we also urge the government to include masks and other protective products into the “Reserved Commodities Ordinance” and formulate administrative measures to get hold of these supplies and impose pricing and buying restrictions so that general public could buy masks at reasonable market price. We emphasized that it cannot solely rely on the market mechanism to cope with the epidemic threat. The government should implement proactive measures to stabilize and increase the supply of masks so that preventive measures could be carried out effectively in each community. Media enquiries: Holden Chow 3703 9870, Chan hok-fung 6099 3800

2020.02.04 In order to prevent the spread of the covid-19, the Education Bureau (EB) announced that classes of all schools will be suspended, with classes to be resumed on March 2nd at the earliest. These class suspensions have major impacts on school operations and on students in many aspects. DAB Legislative Councilors Horace Cheung, Vincent Cheng, Holden Chow and Kwun Tong District Councilor Frankie Ngan held an emergency meeting with Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung on February 4th to urge the bureau to deal with home studying, class resumption, public exams and fee payment procedures properly to allay the worries of parents. Vincent Cheng demanded the government to provide guidelines for schools on providing exercises through electronic platforms. In regards to school fees, the government should consider to pay within limits the school fees, transport fees, lunch and extracurricular activities of government aided schools and Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools to ease the financial burden on parents. The government should also provide support to kindergartens under operational pressure. Vincent Cheng also proposed to extend the application deadline for the $2500 student subsidy to two weeks after the class resumption. These proposals received proactive responses from the EB. Frankie Ngan was concerned if supplies of anti-contagion products in schools are sufficient, and urged the EB to enhance the promotion of their free online educational resources. Horace Cheung said that currently parents are very worried about the arrangements of the DSE and SSPA. The government should carefully evaluate the development of the epidemic and inform parents contingency arrangements after careful study of different options with the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. EB said that it may be impossible for students in Primary 6 to take the final SSPA in time if the date of class resumption is too late, and their SSPA scores will only come from the first two exams combined. The government should quickly announce how it will deal with this discrepancy and the DAB will follow up on this matter very closely.​ Media Inquiries: DAB Legislative Councilor Horace Cheung 9681 8757 DAB Legislative Councilor Vincent Cheng 6373 1979 DAB Kwun Tong District Councilor Frankie Ngan 6600 2511

January 29th, 2020 The DAB has received many complaints about the profiteering of unscrupulous merchants who hike the prices of masks and disinfectant products while some of them even try to hoard supplies.  Residents are unable to purchase necessary protective products for reasonable prices and deeply concerned about whether the masks they bought are in poor quality or even secondhand. In order to protect consumer rights, the DAB urges the Consumer Council (CC) to quickly announce the “List of Unscrupulous Merchants”, set up a hotline and website and work together with the public to ensure that the market for protective products is run legally and smoothly.  At the same time, the CC should regularly publicize the prices of masks and other protective products in each district for reference. We urge the government to quickly procure masks and other protective products worldwide for integrated allocation, and sell them to the public through designated retails at suggested prices set by the CC or the government.  Stocks of masks that are not urgently needed could be handed out to residents through the Home Affairs Department.  The government should announce regularly the supply quantities of masks in the market to curb speculation of masks. Media Inquiries: Legislative Councilor Vincent Cheng (6373 1979)​

January 28th, 2020 Today (January 28th) DAB Chairperson Starry Lee met with the Chief Executive and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office alongside other DAB members to express the worries of the public on the development of the COVID-19 infection, especially about the supplies of masks and hand sanitizers and the immigration restriction control.  Our proposals are as follows: Stabilize prices and supplies of masks and antiseptic products Strengthen border crossings control Unify the broadcast of authoritative information to the public Enhance the consciousness and capabilities of districts against epidemic Launch a citywide cleaning campaign Pay attention to the pressure on the medical system Chairperson Starry Lee said that we are in a critical period against the epidemic and the government should take rigorous measures and consider involvement at the preventive stage to ease the anxiety of the public.  Starry Lee said that the Chief Executive listened closely to the advice of the DAB, and hoped that she will implement preventive measures of the next phase as soon as possible. Media Inquiries: Starry LEE, DAB Chairperson 7770 0820

January 27th, 2020 In this New Year the DAB hopes that the government can implement the 10 measures as soon as possible to improve welfare and quality of life.  At the same time, we hope the Budget can promote measures to help the grassroots, middle class and SMEs.  Our proposals include the following: 1) Relief the financial burden on the people Pay two months’ rent for public rental housing (PRH) tenants. Provide two additional months of payment for recipients of the OAA, OALA, the Disabled Allowance, elderly CSSA, seniors aged 60-64 receiving elderly CSSA or the Employment Support Supplement, and the Working Family Allowance. Provide a 2019/20 salaries tax and personal assessment exemption for up to $50,000 and waive the 5% handling fee for paying tax by instalments. Exempt rates for 2020/21 for up to $2,500 per quarter for each tenant. 2) Narrow down the disparity between rich and poor Provide health care vouchers for elderly aged 60-64. Lower the threshold of the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme from $400 to $200. Promote a one-time infancy subsidy worth $12,000, set up children’s health care vouchers worth $2,000 per year per person. 3) Support the middle class Set up a tax deduction for expenses incurred by hiring foreign domestic helpers. Increase the child allowance from $120,000 to $132,000. Lower the rates percentage charge threshold for owner-occupied residential properties and exempt rates for elderly homeowners. 4) Ease the financial burden on industrial and commercial enterprises Exempt profits tax in 2019/20 for up to $50,000 and waive the 5% handling fee for paying tax by instalments. Exempt business registration fee and related licensing fees for SMEs. Reduce rates by half for an extra six months for government properties, and proactively liaise major property developers, the MTR and the Link REIT to join. The DAB urges the government to prepare sufficient resources for measures fighting the COVID-19, quickly procure masks worldwide and sell them through designated retailers at set prices, or distribute them for free to the people via the Home Affairs Department. Media Inquiries: Holden Chow: 3703 9870 Chan Hok-Fung: 6099 3800​

January 27th, 2020 The riots regarding the extradition bill has been ongoing for seven months.  Though the number of rioters has already greatly diminished, they continue to block roads, set fires and throw petrol bombs at targeted stores.  Police officers are straining to maintain law and order. The DAB expresses our greatest respect to the efforts of the Police to stop violence and protect the lives and properties of residents.  In face of continued provocations and attacks, the Police Force exercises restraint and tolerance, and appropriate strategies to arrest rioters.  Hong Kong people are really proud of the Force’s professionalism and excellence. There is still a long way to go before the riots can be stopped.  The DAB and the majority of the people will fully support the Force to strictly enforce the law, working together with the Force to oppose violence and protect Hong Kong. Media Inquiries: Holden Chow: 3703 9870 Chan Hok-Fung: 6099 3800