Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 16) seized about 800 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $2.1 million and a duty potential of about $1.5 million at Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying metal frames at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes inside 45 machines.

     The 56-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck was detained. Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     A two-day pet adoption event themed "Pets with Love" will be held at 3/F, iSQUARE, Tsim Sha Tsui, from noon to 7pm on May 25 and 26. Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join.
 
     Organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), and co-organised by the Hong Kong Rabbit Society, the Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation, the Lifelong Animal Protection Charity, the Society for Abandoned Animals and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the event aims to encourage people to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals and promote responsible pet ownership.
 
     At the event, members of the public can meet rabbits and reptiles available for adoption, view photos or videos of cats that are up for adoption, and learn more about keeping animals and pet adoption. Other programmes include an educational exhibition, game booths, workshop, photo corner, speed sketching booth, and sharing by guests. To avoid causing stress to the small animals, dogs are not allowed to enter the venue.
 
     The AFCD encourages members of the public who are interested in keeping a pet to adopt animals through animal welfare organisations. Currently, abandoned pets or unclaimed animals with a friendly temperament and good health will be sent to partner animal welfare organisations for adoption. Free desexing operations will be offered for dogs, cats and rabbits when they are adopted.
 
     For details of the event, please read the attached poster, visit www.petswithlove.com.hk/en/index.html  or call 6931 3372 from 9am to 6pm between Monday and Saturday.

    

     Savran Sky Limited and its director were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for defaulting on the sums awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT) under the requirements of Employment Ordinance (EO). The company and its director pleaded guilty at Eastern Magistrates' Courts earlier and were fined $25,000 each today (May 17), making a total of $50,000.

     The company failed to pay one employee the awarded sum of about $52,000 within 14 days after the date set out by the terms of the LT award as required by the EO.  The director concerned was convicted for her consent, connivance or neglect in the above offence.

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay the awarded sums according to the LT or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board," an LD spokesman said.

     "The LD will not tolerate these offences and will continue to make dedicated efforts in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 17) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From May 10 to 16, the CHP recorded three imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (one case), Indonesia (one case) and Malaysia (one case) during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (May 16), 48 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported. The cases were mainly imported from Indonesia (10), Malaysia (10) and Thailand (eight). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. In Guangdong, there were 105 cases in the first four months of this year. The latest figures for 2019 reveal that 20 733 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 3 455 in Singapore (since December 30, 2018) and 99 in Japan.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body when doing outdoor activities.

    
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF and Zika virus infection should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged two months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, May 17, 2019 is 105.4(up 0.3 against yesterday's index).