Author Archives: hksar gov

     Police today (June 3) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tseung Kwan O.      Ngai Wong-wai, aged 22, went missing after he was last seen in Kin Ming Estate on Ma… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 3) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From May 26 to June 1, two community-acquired LD cases were reported. They are:

1. A male patient, aged 50 with good past health, who lives in Yuk Shek House, Ping Shek Estate, Clear Water Bay Road, Kwun Tong District; and
2. A male patient, aged 66 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tower 1, Hillsborough Court, 18 Old Peak Road, Central and Western District.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said. 

     As of June 1, 30 LD cases had been reported in 2019. In 2018 and 2017, there were 105 and 72 cases respectively. 

     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said. 

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.    

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;    
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold Sport For All Day 2019 on August 4 (Sunday) to publicise the benefits of regular exercise. Free recreation and sports programmes will be held at designated venues in the 18 districts, and various leisure facilities of the LCSD will also be open for free use by the public.
      
     Adopting “Stay Active, Healthy and Happy!” as the slogan, the event encourages people of all ages and abilities to maintain a healthy lifestyle by participating in sports activities and fostering the habit of exercising at least half an hour a day. This year’s Sport For All Day will have wushu as the focal sport. Related demonstrations and participation sessions will be held on the day to promote the sport.
      
     Enrolment for the free programmes or distribution of activity coupons will start from 8.30am on July 15 (Monday) at respective LCSD District Leisure Services Offices or designated venues in the 18 districts on a first-come, first-served basis. These programmes include:
 

• Health talks and exercise demonstrations
• Fitness corners
• Sports activities for parents and children
• Sports participation sessions
• Activities for persons with disabilities
• Wushu demonstrations and participation activities

 
     The fee-charging leisure facilities that will be open for free use by the public on August 4 include:
    

• Indoor leisure facilities: badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms, activity rooms, dance rooms and cycling track
• Outdoor leisure facilities: tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, sport climbing walls, archery ranges, rope courses and golf facilities (excluding camp facilities, sports grounds, artificial and natural turf pitches)
• Public swimming pools (excluding Wan Chai Swimming Pool)
• Craft of water sports centres

 
     Booking for free use of available leisure facilities can be made at Leisure Link booking counters at LCSD venues in various districts (except self-service kiosks) starting from 9am on July 28 (Sunday). Each person can only book one free session on a first-come, first-served basis irrespective of the types of facilities. No prior booking is required for the public swimming pools. Members of the public may line up at the entrances of the swimming pools for free admission on a first-come, first-served basis.
      
     For details of Sport For All Day 2019, please refer to the attachment, visit the designated website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/sfad or call 2414 5555 for enquiries.
      
     The LCSD has also invited the 18 District Councils, National Sports Associations, district sports associations, community sports clubs and community sport organisations, as well as privately operated sports clubs and health centres, to organise free activities and offer free facilities for the public to enjoy on August 4 in support of the event.
      
     Sport For All Day 2019 is co-organised by the Department of Health; the Sports Medicine Team of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the Sports Medicine and Health Science Alumni Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China; the Hong Kong Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability; and the Hong Kong Wushu Union. read more

     A Vietnamese illegal worker was jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on June 1.

    During operation “Twilight” on May 30, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a restaurant in Sham Tseng. A male Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 31, was arrested. When intercepted he was working as an odd-job worker. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.

     The illegal worker was charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on June 1 with taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration or while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment. Meanwhile, he was also charged with one count of using a false instrument and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment of which part of the sentence is to run consecutively, making a total of 16 months’ imprisonment.

     The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment should be applied in such cases. Under the prevailing laws, any person who uses or has in his possession any false instrument, or makes false representation to Immigration Officers, commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution, and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threat and coercion in the recruitment phase, and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent interference, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments.
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     The Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS) is inviting a new round of applications starting today (June 3) from non-profit-distributing organisations such as professional bodies, trade or industrial organisations and research institutes.
     
     The PASS, with a total allocation of $200 million, aims at funding non-profit-making industry-led projects to increase exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong’s professional services and external counterparts, promote relevant publicity activities, and enhance the standards and external competitiveness of Hong Kong’s professional services.

     The maximum grant under the PASS for each approved project is $3 million or 90 per cent of the total eligible project cost, whichever is lower. A wide range of professional services is covered by the PASS, including accounting, legal and dispute resolution, architecture, engineering, healthcare, information and communications technology, design as well as technical testing and analysis. Sector-specific projects and cross-sectoral projects are both welcome.

     So far, 42 projects have been funded under the PASS, including seminars, forums, workshops, exchange events, exhibitions, and research and studies. Expenses directly incurred for implementing a project such as manpower costs, venue and set up costs, production and promotion costs, and the project team’s travel and accommodation costs outside Hong Kong, are typically eligible for funding under the scheme. More details about the PASS and the funded projects are available at www.pass.gov.hk/en/home/index.html.

     The PASS receives applications all year round and they are processed on a quarterly basis. The deadline for the new round of applications is August 31, 2019.

     A briefing session will be held on June 20, 2019 for organisations interested in applying for the PASS funding. For registration for the briefing session or other enquiries, please contact the PASS Secretariat at 3655 5418 or pass@cedb.gov.hk. read more