The Drainage Services Department (DSD) was awarded the United Kingdom's (UK) New Engineering Contract (NEC) Awards – Client of the Year 2019. It is another encouraging result following the DSD's receipt of the same award in 2016.
      
     The NEC Awards were established by the UKNEC Users' Group to recognise NEC projects around the world for their excellent performance. There are four categories of awards, namely Contract of the Year, Client of the Year, Contractor of the Year and Contract Innovation. The Client of the Year award aims to commend the project client that has fully demonstrated mutual trust and a partnering spirit with its contractors.
      
     Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony yesterday (June 17) in London, the UK, the Chief Engineer (Project Management) of the DSD, Mr Jimmy Poon, said, "The DSD is highly supportive of the adoption of the NEC. We have awarded 67 contracts in the past 10 years covering civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, maintenance works and consultancy services. Various options under the suite of the NEC are extensively utilised to suit the particular nature of the projects to enhance efficiency. The DSD is planning for gradual transition from NEC3 to NEC4, with the first NEC4 Professional Services Contract in Hong Kong awarded last year. We expect to engage in more works contracts adopting NEC4 in the coming years.
      
     "Looking ahead, the DSD hopes to consolidate the collaborative culture of Hong Kong's construction industry through the adoption of the NEC, with an aim to enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness of projects. We will continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders with a view to fostering innovations and achieving better value for money in public works projects," he said.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital made the following announcement today (June 18):
 
     Four patients (aged 60 to 80) in a male surgical ward have been confirmed to be carriers of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae since May 29. Two patients concerned are still hospitalised and being treated under isolation with stable condition. The remaining two patients have been discharged.
 
     The Hospital Infection Control Team has followed up with the departments concerned and experts of the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:
 
1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff, patients and visitors; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward.
       
     Furthermore, four patients (aged 16 to 42) in a male Psychiatry ward presented with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms since June 13. Appropriate viral tests were arranged and their test results were positive for Influenza A. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to the established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance. Admission to the ward has also been suspended.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) raided an unlicensed cold store for chilled meat and poultry meat at Ka Lung Road, San Tin, Yuen Long, early this morning (June 18).

     A 56-year-old man arrested in the operation was charged with operating an unlicensed cold store.

     Under the Food Business Regulation, the maximum penalty for operating an unlicensed cold store is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     "We will continue to take stringent enforcement action against unlicensed food business to safeguard food safety and public health," an FEHD spokesman said.

     "Members of the public should report such illegal activities by calling the FEHD hotline 2868 0000."

     Hongkong Post announced today (June 18) that, due to the interruption of air transport services to Afghanistan, air mail services to Afghanistan (except Speedpost) are suspended with immediate effect until further notice.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, today (June 18, Geneva time) continued his visit in Geneva, Switzerland, and attended meetings of the Centenary Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

     As part of the delegation of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Dr Law is attending the Centenary Conference from June 17 to 19 (Geneva time), including plenary sittings and a high-level session with national and international leaders, a thematic forum on technological pathways for decent work and meetings of the Committee on the Application of Standards and the Standard-Setting Committee of the ILO on violence and harassment in the world of work. Representatives of the Labour Department and the Labour Advisory Board are also attending the Centenary Conference.

     On the sidelines of the meetings, Dr Law met with the System Initiative Management Team led by the Head of the Centre for the New Economy and Society of the World Economic Forum, Ms Saadia Zahidi, this morning to exchange views on the development of vocational education and skills upgrading of the labour force to prepare for the advent of the artificial intelligence era.

     In his visit to the International Social Security Association (ISSA) yesterday (June 17, Geneva time), Dr Law met with Secretary General, Mr Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, and other key officials of the ISSA and discussed international experience in tackling challenges arising from an ageing population, including the sustainability of the social security system, provision of long-term care and a shrinking labour force.

     Dr Law called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of the PRC to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Chen Xu, on the same day to update him on the latest labour market and economic situation in Hong Kong.

     He has also held lunch meetings with delegates of the China Enterprise Confederation and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions over these two days. Dr Law will attend more sessions of the Centenary Conference and meet with the ILO's Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms Tomoko Nishimoto, tomorrow (June 19, Geneva time) before concluding his visit and setting off for Hong Kong.