Police last night (August 1) found some suspicious persons while handling a burglary case in an industrial building in Au Pui Wan Street, Sha Tin. Upon investigation, Police arrested eight persons, aged between 24 and 31, in the car park and inside a unit of the building for possession of offensive weapon, possession of instrument fit for unlawful purpose, possession of explosives without a licence, and breaching the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

     A large amount of offensive weapons was seized, including some baseball batons, iron marbles, hiking poles, bows and arrows, petrol bombs and a rattan cane. Police also seized a lot of protective gear including helmets, gas masks, masks, knee pads, arm braces, some essential oil with suspected cannabidiol, some black T-shirts and over 50 white T-shirts.

     After that a group of protestors gathered and besieged Sha Tin Police Station and Ma On Shan Police Station successively, requesting to release the arrested persons.

     At around 10pm, a group of protestors besieged Sha Tin Police Station and used mills barriers, water barriers and miscellaneous objects to block the gate. Some protestors damaged the closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and walkie-talkies of the police station, threw eggs at the station and drew graffiti with content of insulting Police officers on the outer walls.

     Later at around 1.30am today (August 2), the group of protestors turned up to besiege Ma On Shan Police Station and used mills barriers as well as miscellaneous objects to block the entrance of report room. Some protestors pried open the roller shutter of the report room and charged the glass doors. Some protestors also vandalised the CCTV cameras and outer walls, and hurled stones at the Police station. Some drew graffiti on the glass doors of the report room with content of insulting Police officers and threatening their safety.

     The two cases of besieging Police stations are classified as criminal damage. Those protestors participated were also involved in illegal assembly. Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Sha Tin is underway.

     Furthermore, officers of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau yesterday arrested one man and two women for possession of explosives without a licence in Tin Shui Estate, Tin Shui Wai. Some 30 pieces of smoke grenades, some partially-completed smoke grenades, some raw materials and about half a million cash were seized.

     Police notice that there are some discussions advocating escalating violence on the internet, in which some promote the use of violent and lethal ways to assault Police officers. Police reiterate that there is zero tolerance to anyone who resorts to violence for any purposes.

     Police condemn these violent acts and will spare no effort in investigation in order to bring offenders to justice. Police are capable and determined to maintain law and order and will not tolerate any violence.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements on August 4 (Sunday) to facilitate a public order event to be held in Tseung Kwan O.

     A public meeting will be held at Po Tsui Park hard surfaced soccer pitch at 12 noon while a public procession heading towards the Hong Kong Velodrome Park will start at 2.30pm, followed by another public meeting on its central lawn.

     Police anticipate that the traffic in the vicinity of the procession route may be congested during the event. Members of the public are advised to avoid driving to the above area and make use of public transport services as far as possible.

     Police respect the public’s freedoms of expression, speech and assembly. It is the policy of Police to facilitate all peaceful public events while at the same time ensuring public safety and public order. Members of the public should express their views in a peaceful and rational manner. They should also follow the instructions of Police officers at scene or the event marshals provided by the organiser.

     Police appeal to members of the public to comply with the laws of Hong Kong and maintain social order when expressing their views. Should there be any confrontation, they should protect their own safety, maintain a safe distance from violent protestors or leave the scene immediately, allowing the Police to deal with the situation.

     In order to facilitate the holding of the public order event, the following special traffic arrangements will be implemented:

A. Road closure

     If necessary, the following roads will be closed at any time until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Roads in the vicinity of MTR Po Lam Station;
– Roads in the vicinity of MTR Hang Hau Station; and
– Roads in the vicinity of MTR Tseung Kwan O Station.

B. Closure of cycling track

     The cycling tracks at the following locations will be closed from 12 noon until the crowd has dispersed:

– Northern kerbside of Po Fung Road;
– The subway near Ming Tat House, Ying Ming Court;
– Western kerbside of Po Lam Road North east of Po Fung Road;
– The subway near Yan Kuk House, Yan Ming Court;
– The subway near King Yung House, King Lam Estate;
– Eastern and western kerbsides of Po Shun Road north of the subway near King Yung House, King Lam Estate;
– Northern kerbside of Po Ning Road;
– The subway near Tak Hong House, Hau Tak Estate;
– Adjacent to Assembly of God Leung Sing Tak Primary School;
– The subway near Assembly of God Leung Sing Tak Primary School; and
– Northern kerbside of Wan Po Road outside Hong Kong Velodrome Park.
     
     Actual implementation of the crowd safety management measures and traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 2) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "As the Hajj pilgrimage will begin soon, pilgrims visiting Mecca in Saudi Arabia should be vigilant against MERS. Those with pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic renal disease and immunodeficiency, are more likely to develop severe infections if they are exposed to MERS-CoV. Pilgrims should hence consult healthcare providers before travel to review the risk and assess whether pilgrimage is advisable. Pilgrims visiting Mecca may refer to the DH's advice. If pilgrims feel unwell during the two weeks after returning to Hong Kong, they should wear a surgical mask and seek medical attention immediately and inform a doctor of their recent travel history," the spokesman added.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.
 
    Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 2) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*).   
   
     Sixteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 19 as Fair (Grade 2), three as Poor (Grade 3) and one as Very Poor (Grade 4).
 
Grade 1 beaches are: 
 

 
Grade 2 beaches are:
 

 
Grade 3 beaches are:
 

 
* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Kwun Yam Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1 and Cafeteria Old Beach, Casam Beach and Ting Kau Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Silver Mine Bay Beach has been changed from Grade 2 to Grade 4.
      
     "The deterioration of water quality in Silver Mine Bay Beach was due to the recent unsteady weather, while the changes in other beaches are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 2) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF), and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
 
A. Dengue fever
 
     From July 26 to August 1, the CHP recorded four imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (two cases), Indonesia (one case) and Thailand (one case) during the incubation period.
 
     As of yesterday (August 1), 99 cases had been recorded this year, as compared with 53 cases recorded in the same period last year. All the cases recorded in 2019 were imported, mainly from Thailand (18), Indonesia (17) and Malaysia (17).
     
     The CHP has been closely monitoring the latest DF situation in neighbouring and overseas areas. DF is endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. According to the World Health Organization, some Asian countries are experiencing unusually high numbers of DF cases for this time of year. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas this year has been uploaded to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).
     
     ​"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
B. Chikungunya fever
 
​     From July 26 to August 1, the CHP recorded one CF case. The patient had lived in Thailand during the incubation period. As of yesterday (August 1), six confirmed CF cases had been recorded this year, all of which were imported cases from Thailand.
 
     CF is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus. It is clinically characterised by fever frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and a rash. Joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually lasts for a few days or may be prolonged for weeks. Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years.
 
     Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. Although the vector Aedes aegypti is not found in Hong Kong, another vector, Aedes albopictus, is widely distributed locally. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours, though there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon.
 
     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

    
     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
 
     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the CF page of the CHP, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.