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 announced that the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District have resumed today (July 27). The lifesaving services at the beach were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending radio programme today (July 27):

Reporter: How do hospitals prepare for the potential pressure from the coming protest?

Secretary for Food and Health: The hospitals are prepared in case of casualties arising from mass gathering. For example, the Yuen Long incident. The Hospital Authority's (HA) New Territories West Cluster – the Pok Oi Hospital and the Tuen Mun Hospital have taken into consideration the possible number of casualty. Therefore they have tried to increase the number of healthcare professionals as well as bed allocation. So that just in case there are casualties, they would be able to manage. Also, the HA Head Office has also activated their centre to monitor the mass gathering situation.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

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 (July 27) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District is suspended until further notice.

     First aid service will be maintained at the beach.
 

     The Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness & Response Institute's play featuring Mr Ready teaches kids important lessons in disaster prevention.
 
     News.gov.hk spoke with the drama's playwright and the character’s designer to see how interactive drama education has improved disaster awareness.
 
     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (July 27) in text and video format.
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 27) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.