The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (June 29) said that 13 general out-patient clinics (see table below) will provide services on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day next Monday (July 1). Members of the public are reminded to make advance booking through the telephone booking system as usual for an appointment.  
 
     The spokesperson remarked that the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments in public hospitals will also operate as usual during the holiday to serve the patients with urgent medical needs. The established triage system will ensure priority treatment for critical and emergency patients according to their clinical conditions. The queuing time is expected to be longer for semi-urgent and non-urgent patients as there may be more patients seeking consultation at A&E Departments during the holiday. The HA appeals to the public for their understanding and co-operation while waiting for consultations. Non-urgent patients are advised to consider seeking consultations at general out-patient clinics, private doctors or the 24-hour clinics of private hospitals.
 
     To help find an appropriate family doctor and related clinic service of their choice, members of the public can also browse the Primary Care Directory of the Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk.
 

 
Consultation Hours:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

     To enhance the transparency of learning programmes recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF), the Education Bureau announced today (June 29) the implementation of indication of QF credit for learning programmes at QF levels 5 to 7 on the Qualifications Register (QR) from 2020 onwards. 
      
     With effect from September 1, 2020, non-self-accrediting operators will have to indicate the QF credit for their newly registered learning programmes at QF levels 5 to 7 (except for research-based programmes) on the QR. With effect from September 1, 2022, they will have to indicate the QF credit for all learning programmes at QF levels 5 to 7 (except for research-based programmes) on the QR. 
      
     As for self-accrediting operators, given that they have their own accreditation system, it is voluntary for them to indicate the QF credit of their learning programmes at QF levels 5 to 7 on the QR. For reference by the QR users and the general public, two common types of programmes offered by self-accrediting operators, namely full-time, four-year bachelor's degree programmes and full-time, one-year taught master's degree programmes, will be given a remark indicating a range of QF credits on the QR starting from September 1, 2020, if self-accrediting operators do not indicate the QF credit of such programmes on the QR.
      
     "The indication of the QF credit for learning programmes at QF levels 5 to 7 on the QR provides clear and transparent information on the learning volume of programmes, thus serving the best interests of the learning community. It also strengthens the infrastructure of the QF in Hong Kong in line with overseas development," a spokesperson for the Education Bureau said.
      
     "Since January 1, 2016, all learning programmes at QF levels 1 to 4 have shown the QF credit on the QR. The implementation of indication of the QF credit for programmes at QF levels 1 to 4 has been very smooth and successful. Operators are now familiar with the concepts and principles of the QF credit and ready to move forward."
      
     The QF is a seven-level hierarchy that defines clear and objective standards applicable to qualifications in the academic, vocational, professional and continuing education sectors. Each QF-recognised qualification is assigned a QF level in accordance with the outcome standards (knowledge and skills assessable and attainable) expected of the qualification. QF level 7 is the highest while QF level 1 is the lowest. The QF credit measures the volume or size of learning of a qualification, which allows learners to understand the effort and time expected of an average learner to complete the learning process successfully and attain the learning outcomes of the relevant qualification. One QF credit consists of 10 notional learning hours.
      
     Details of the implementation plan can be downloaded from the QF website: www.hkqf.gov.hk.

     The Fire Services Department has enhanced training for its front-line members and introduced new tools and equipment ahead of this year's typhoon season.
 
     News.gov.hk spoke with the department to learn about how it is preparing to face the threat of increasingly extreme weather.
 
     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (June 29) in text and video format.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements tomorrow (June 30) to facilitate a public order event to be held on Hong Kong Island.

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 11.45am until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:
     
– Eastbound Des Voeux Road Central;
– Eastbound Queensway between Des Voeux Road Central and Rodney Street;
– Rodney Street; and
– If necessary, the first right lane of Garden Road flyover.

     Vehicles may not be permitted to access or leave car parks along the route during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists 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 (DH) today (June 29) 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.