The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (May 1):

     Seven patients (aged 4 to 18) with chronic illnesses residing in Developmental Disabilities Unit of Caritas Medical Centre and four healthcare staff have presented with fever and upper respiratory symptoms since April 20.

     Laboratory tests revealed that four patients were positive for Human Metapneumovirus. Two of the four patients' test results were also positive for Influenza A virus. The patients are being treated under isolation. Three healthcare staff are currently on sick leave.

     The hospital has informed the relatives of the patients about the situation. Infection control measures of the ward have been enhanced. All other patients and staff in the ward are under close surveillance.

     The hospital has reported the cases to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up. 
 

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (May 1). 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.
     

     The Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) rate was raised from $34.5 per hour to $37.5 per hour with effect from today (May 1). 

     According to the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO), employees are protected by the SMW whether they are monthly-rated, daily-rated, hourly-rated, piece-rated, permanent, casual, full-time or part-time, etc, and regardless of whether or not they are employed under a continuous contract as defined in the Employment Ordinance (EO). The SMW is not applicable to live-in domestic workers (irrespective of their sex, race and nationality), student interns and work experience students as specified in the MWO, and persons to whom the EO does not apply.

     The SMW also protects employees with disabilities. Special arrangement is also provided under the MWO so that employees with disabilities have the right to undergo productivity assessment to determine whether they should be remunerated at no less than the SMW rate or at a rate commensurate with their productivity. Those employees with disabilities who have chosen this special arrangement are entitled to wages of not less than the amount to be calculated according to the new SMW rate of $37.5 per hour.

     In addition, the monthly monetary cap on the requirement of employers recording the total number of hours worked by employees under the EO is raised from $14,100 to $15,300 with effect from today. When wages payable in respect of a wage period are less than $15,300 per month, the employer is required to keep a record of the total number of hours worked by the employee in that wage period.

     Enquiries about the SMW can be made on the 24-hour enquiry hotline 2717 1771 (handled by "1823") and during office hours at branch offices of the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department (LD). Details of the SMW are also available on the LD’s homepage (www.labour.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the service demand surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (May 1) that the red flag at Silver Mine Bay Beach in Islands District has been lowered and the beach has been reopened.

     The beach was closed earlier on after an oil spill.