The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 19) 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.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 970 grams of suspected ketamine, 88 grams of suspected ecstasy and 1.85 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport on May 15 and yesterday (May 17) respectively.
      
     Customs officers inspected an air mail parcel arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands on May 15 and found the batch of suspected ketamine and suspected ecstasy in the parcel.
      
     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 25-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case in Shatin.
      
     Also, a male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Dubai, United Arab Emirates yesterday. During Customs clearance, four pieces of clothing were found soaked with suspected cocaine. The 23-year-old man was then arrested.
      
     The two arrested men have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on May 20.
      
     Customs will maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcels or express courier channels.
      
     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, continued her visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities in Jiangmen today (May 18).

     In the morning, Mrs Lam and Mr Nip visited China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd (CIMC) to learn about the business of its subsidiary, CIMC Modular Building Systems, which supplies construction components for the Construction Industry Council’s Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Display Centre in Kowloon Bay. MiC allows most of the labour-intensive and time-consuming processes to be accomplished in an off-site prefabrication yard, minimising the duration of work on construction sites and the demand for construction workers, thus enhancing productivity. The technique also enhances on-site safety and project quality control and reduces adverse impacts on the environment.

     Afterwards, Mrs Lam and Mr Nip visited Xinhui tangerine peel village to find out the development of the trade. The production of aged tangerine peels in the city has a history of hundreds of years and is known across the country for the quality. Following years of evolvement, it has become a trade with an annual production worth billions of dollars.

     They then visited CRRC Guangdong Co Ltd to learn about the company's manufacture and maintenance of rolling stock as well as the services of related industries. They also toured the production base of the Lee Kum Kee Group in Xinhui, Jiangmen, to know its automated production technique and quality control measures.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam and Mr Nip departed for Panyu, Guangzhou, to visit Clifford Hospital, which was founded by a Hong Kong merchant. Launched in 2001, Clifford Hospital was the first hospital in China to be accredited by Joint Commission International, and provides medical services for many Hong Kong people living nearby.

     Mrs Lam said that after the assumption of office, she has already visited Macao and nine Mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area, enhancing her knowledge of the characteristics and advantages of various cities. She added that Hong Kong will, in accordance with the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promulgated by the Central Government in February this year, proactively strengthen collaboration with the cities to complement each other to develop together an international first-class bay area.

     In the evening, Mrs Lam attended the welcome dinner of the first Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area media summit in Guangzhou. She will attend the summit's opening ceremony tomorrow (May 19), where she will deliver a speech, and then conclude her visit and return to Hong Kong.