Customs today learnt that an Assistant Trade Controls Officer has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19.

It said the officer works at an office located on the 20th floor of the Trade & Industry Tower in Kai Tak. The floor is not open to the public.

Apart from working at the office, the officer is also responsible for visiting traders’ premises to conduct inspections and certificate verifications.

He last performed his duties on July 14 and felt unwell in the evening.

He was sent to a hospital after seeking medical treatment at a private clinic and was notified this morning to have preliminarily tested positive for the virus.

The officer, who has no recent travel history, is being treated under isolation and in a stable condition.

He has been wearing surgical masks when performing duties both in and outside the office and has properly maintained social distancing with people he has had contact with.

His body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work.

Customs has been closely co-operating with the Centre for Health Protection on the centre’s epidemiological investigations.

Colleagues working with the officer are asymptomatic and the department has liaised with the centre for arranging those officers to undergo COVID-19 testing.

The concerned floor will also undergo a thorough cleaning and sterilisation.

Customs has remained highly vigilant since the epidemic broke out.

It has stepped up the cleaning and sterilising measures for all working locations and will remind its officers to strictly comply with the centre’s hygiene measures.

The department will also remind its officers to consult a doctor promptly if they have any symptoms of discomfort.