The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 in a female psychogeriatric ward, the spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital gave the following update today (May 28):
 
     One more 68-year-old patient in the ward presented with respiratory symptoms. An appropriate viral test was arranged and the test result was positive for Parainfluenza Virus Type 3. The patient concerned is 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.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) discussed today (May 28) the applications for fare increases from the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, Long Win Bus Company Limited and New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited, and was briefed on the latest situation regarding various measures that the Government has adopted to increase the provision of car parking spaces.

     The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said that in deliberating on the applications from the three franchised bus companies, the TAC had considered and balanced a basket of factors under the Fare Adjustment Arrangement for franchised buses. These factors include public acceptability and affordability, service performance of the bus companies and the past and forecast financial performance of the companies, as well as a supportable fare increase rate computed for reference through a formula making reference to changes in the Composite Consumer Price Index and wage index.

     Professor Cheung said, "Similar to other fare increase applications, the TAC will submit its recommendation to the Government for consideration by the Chief Executive in Council."

     The TAC noted that the Government's policy in the provision of parking spaces is to accord priority to meeting the parking demand for commercial vehicles, and to provide an appropriate number of private car parking spaces if overall developments permit. For the purpose of addressing the shortage of parking spaces, the Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to increase the number of parking spaces in an orderly manner in accordance with the "single site, multiple uses" principle and through taking forward other measures including better use of technology. The Transport Department (TD) has also undertaken a review of the standards stipulated in Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines in respect of the provision of parking spaces for commercial vehicles and private cars. The review is targeted for completion at end-2019 with a view to promulgating the updated standards in 2020 after consultation with stakeholders.

     Professor Cheung said, "Members welcome that the Transport and Housing Bureau and the TD have strived to increase the number of parking spaces by pursuing a host of short term and medium to long term measures in recent years. Apart from addressing the parking demand, the measures should also help reduce illegal parking and traffic congestion.

     "Members noted that, in taking forward various parking projects, the TD will need to count on the support of relevant stakeholders including the local community. Members appeal to the stakeholders for their support so that more parking spaces may be made available as soon as possible."

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 is 105.4 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley tomorrow (May 29). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure
     
     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (May 28) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the requirements of the Code of Practice for EAs at all times.

     The LD has revoked the licence of Fardiansyah International Limited, an EA located in Yau Ma Tei, which failed to meet the standards set out in the Code in various aspects, including having its management fail to closely supervise their staff in relation to the provision of job-placement services, failing to draw up service agreements with foreign domestic helpers (FDHs), failing to send a copy of the completed standard employment contract (SEC) to FDHs as soon as practicable, failing to return the passport directly to the job seeker without delay upon obtaining the employment or relevant visa for the job seeker concerned, and failing to provide FDHs with a copy of the sample SEC in their mother language. 

     Under section 53(1)(c)(iva) of the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour may revoke the licence of an EA if he is satisfied that the licensee concerned has not complied with the Code.

     The spokesman said, "The Code sets out the salient legal requirements that EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the minimum standards which the Commissioner expects of EAs. The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018, which came into effect on February 9, 2018, further empowered the Commissioner to refuse to issue or renew a licence, or to revoke a licence, if the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, has contravened Part XII of the EO, such as overcharging job seekers, or if he or she has not complied with the Code."

     This is the first revocation of an EA licence in 2019. In 2018, there were eight cases of revocation/refusal of renewal of EA licences.

     For enquiries or complaints about malpractices of EAs, please call the LD's Employment Agencies Administration at 2115 3667, or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.