The Lands Department announced today (May 7) that the tender for a site, New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6552 at Kai Tak Area 4C Site 2, Kai Tak, Kowloon, has been awarded to the highest tenderer, Marble Edge Investments Limite… read more
The owners of two goods vehicles which were involved in two cases of illegal waste disposal were convicted and fined a total of $6,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (May 7) for contravening the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation. In addition to these two convictions, five other cases of the same kind are being scheduled for hearings in different district courts.
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that to step up efforts to combat illegal construction waste disposal, the department had installed round-the-clock surveillance camera systems at various construction waste fly-tipping black spots across Hong Kong to assist in evidence collection and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement. In November last year and January this year, the department’s surveillance camera systems on Lok Shan Road and Ha Heung Road in To Kwa Wan recorded footage of wooden cabinets and other waste being unloaded from goods vehicles on pedestrian paths, causing obstructions on the pavement and adversely affecting environmental hygiene. The department subsequently issued summonses to the registered owners of the two goods vehicles involved in accordance with the law.
The spokesman said in addition to the EPD’s surveillance camera systems, the department conducted blitz operations in different districts regularly to strictly combat illegal disposal of waste. The department hopes that the above series of successful convictions against illegal waste disposal can strengthen the deterrent effect. The spokesman reminded all members of the renovation, construction and transportation sectors, including persons-in-charge of construction sites, workers and drivers as well as owners of goods vehicles, that they must properly deliver construction waste to the government waste management facilities in accordance with the law. It is unlawful to dispose of waste in public places or on the roadside. According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, it is an offense to dispose of waste on the streets or in public places from vehicles, including goods vehicles, private cars and motorcycles. Registered owners may be prosecuted. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months’ imprisonment.
The spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 7) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection, and reminded members of the public who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination in the 2018-19 season that they can still receive it for personal protection against seasonal influenza.
The case involves a 6-year-old boy with underlying illness, who has presented with fever since April 23. He was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of United Christian Hospital for treatment yesterday (May 6).
His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. He is now in a critical condition.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history during the incubation period.
The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
“Although the winter influenza season has ended, members of the public aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination in the 2018-19 season can still receive it for personal protection against seasonal influenza,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
“Meanwhile, the public should continue to adopt strict personal, hand and environmental hygiene practices against respiratory illnesses and other infectious diseases,” the spokesman added.
The public may visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly Flu Express for more information. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (May 7) that the official foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong amounted to US$436.4 billion as at the end of April (end-March: US$438.0 billion) (Annex).
Including unsettled foreign exchange contracts, the foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong at the end of April amounted to US$429.2 billion (end-March: US$429.5 billion).
The total foreign currency reserve assets of US$436.4 billion represent about seven times the currency in circulation or 46 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3.
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At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS). The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of May, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
| May 7 | SDDS International Reserves (Hong Kong’s Latest Foreign Currency Reserve Assets Figures) |
| May 14 |
SDDS Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank (Analytical Accounts of the Exchange Fund) |
| May 31 | SDDS Template on International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity |
| May 31 | Exchange Fund Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account |
A woman was fined $4,000 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (May 7) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The courts heard that in October last year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club on Shelley Street in Central which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC).
OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as members. Also, the club’s CoC or its certified true copy was not displayed at a prominent position. Conditions 2 and 19 of the CoC were breached.
The woman, being the manager of the club, was charged with contravening section 21(1)(a) of the Ordinance.
A spokesman for the department reminded all CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated therein. Enforcement action will continue to be taken against illegal club operations. read more