The Government today announced that people born in 1971 to 2002 who registered for the Cash Payout Scheme by paper forms on or before August 1 will receive their payments or notifications for cheque collection from August 12.

This is five days earlier than originally planned, the Government said, noting that about 170,000 people will be involved.

People who submitted paper forms to banks will receive payments through their specified personal bank accounts. Those who submitted registration forms to Hongkong Post will receive notifications for cheque collection via SMS or by post.

They may collect the order cheques in person from the post offices they specified for about one month.

Post offices in Wong Tai Sin District, where the epidemic is relatively severe, will continue to suspend services until August 16.

Wan Chai Post Office will remain closed until August 15 after a postman working for the district delivery office was confirmed to have COVID-19.

All other post offices maintain their regular opening hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but close earlier at 4pm. The time of receiving cheque collection notifications by some people will therefore be affected.

People may call 2921 2222 for individual post offices’ service hours.

The Government reminded members of the public that there is no need to rush to check account balances at banks or collect cheques at post offices, adding that they should avoid gathering to reduce the risk of infection.

As of August 10, the scheme has disbursed payments or issued cheque collection notifications to more than 5.9 million eligible people.

Call 18 2020 for more information.