The Transport Department (TD) today (August 8) reminded members of the public that the interim special arrangement whereby members of the public may apply for late collection of their expired subsidy for March under the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme will end on August 15. Any late applications beyond August 15 will not be accepted. Commuters who have not collected their subsidy for March may apply for late collection on or before August 15 by calling the Scheme hotline (2969 5500).
 
     "With regard to the fact that the Scheme was at its early stage of implementation and to cater for those who may not have been able to claim the subsidy in the first three months, the Government introduced an interim three-month special arrangement on May 16 whereby members of the public may apply, within one month from the day after the respective collection periods of subsidy for the months of January, February and March, for late collection of their expired subsidy by calling the Scheme hotline. The special arrangement will end on August 15. Thereafter, if commuters do not collect the subsidy within three months, the subsidy amount cannot be retrieved," the TD spokesman said.

     The service hours of the Scheme hotline are from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Members of the public applying for the expired subsidy can press "1" and "0" after choosing the language on the Scheme hotline to be connected to the customer service representatives directly for the application. Upon confirmation of the application, the uncollected subsidy can be collected through various collection channels from the 16th day of the month following the date of the application and within a further three-month period thereafter.
 
     "The collection period of the subsidy for April will end on August 15. Commuters who have yet to collect their subsidy for April are advised to collect it through the established collection channels as soon as possible on or before August 15," the spokesman said.
 
     Commuters can collect the subsidy by tapping their Octopus on the readers of the Subsidy Collection Points installed at all MTR stations and Light Rail Customer Service Centres, designated public transport interchanges and ferry piers, any outlet of 7-Eleven, Circle-K and Wellcome supermarket, as well as at Octopus Service Points or through the Octopus App.
 
     Commuters may check their record of public transport expenses and subsidy amounts through the website of the Scheme (www.ptfss.gov.hk), the Octopus App and the Scheme hotline. For enquires about the details of the Scheme, please browse through the website of the Scheme or call 1823.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that the lifesaving services at Cafeteria New Beach and Cafeteria Old Beach in Tuen Mun District resumed today (August 8). The lifesaving services at these beaches were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded a gradual increase in pollution levels since this morning (August 8). According to the EPD's forecast, it is expected that the AQHI at some general and roadside air quality monitoring stations may reach the "Serious" level later today, and the AQHI may also remain higher than normal tomorrow (August 9).

     Under the influence of the Tropical Cyclone Lekima, the weather in Hong Kong today is fine and very hot but hazy, with northwest force 2 to 3. Hong Kong is being affected by an air mass with higher background pollutant concentrations. Higher than normal levels of ozone and particulates have been recorded in the territory since noon. The sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity and the rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high level of ozone has promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide, particularly in parts of urban areas and at the roadside.

     According to the Hong Kong Observatory, a southwesterly airstream is expected to bring showers to the coast of Guangdong early to middle next week. It is expected that pollution levels will be improved by then.

     With a health risk category in the "Very High" range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB's website for appropriate measures to safeguard students' health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows:
www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.

     When the AQHI is at the "Very High" level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and their time of stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the "Serious" level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
 
     Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD's website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 8) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Cafeteria Old Beach in Tuen Mun District are suspended until further notice.

     First aid services will be maintained at the beach. 

Attention TV/radio announcers:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 8) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Cafeteria New Beach in Tuen Mun District are suspended until further notice.

     First aid service will be maintained at the beach.