Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the opening ceremony of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) Chai Wan Campus today (April 18):
 
Dr Roy Chung (Chairman of the Vocational Training Council), Professor Christina Hong (President of THEi), Mrs Carrie Yau (Executive Director of the Vocational Training Council), students, teachers, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. I am pleased to be here today for the opening of the brand-new Chai Wan Campus of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, or THEi, as the Institute is so smartly known. It is particularly delightful to attend this grand opening, just a few months after my attendance at the opening of another new Vocational Training Council facility, the International Culinary Institute in Pok Fu Lam. I understand that there is one person behind both projects of VTC who is unable to join us this afternoon, that is the Honourable Dr Andrew Leung, the predecessor of Dr Roy Chung's predecessor. For infrastructure projects like this, minimally you would require almost a decade of conceiving the project, planning the project, getting the approval and so on, so may I suggest we also give Andrew a big round of applause.
 
     THEi was launched in 2012 in Tsing Yi, offering innovative, self-financed degree programmes. As Roy noted, it has gone from a modest half-a-dozen offerings, and only about 200 students, to 20 degree programmes catering to the interests of more than 3 000 students today. And it will continue to expand to 22 degree programmes in the 2019/20 academic year.
 
     There are good reasons behind its soaring growth. THEi's close collaboration with the Hong Kong workforce is certainly one of them. At last count, more than 300 industry partners were associated with THEi, taking full advantage of its enviable flow of talented young graduates who are well equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for employment upon graduation. Its bachelor's degree in horticulture and landscape development, for example, is Hong Kong's very first horticulture programme, graduating professionals in arboriculture, horticulture and tree and landscape management. Capitalising on its collaboration with industry, THEi also supports research activities, equipping graduates with leading-edge knowledge to meet the challenges of today's and tomorrow's workplace.
 
     The opening of this Chai Wan Campus showcases our Government's ardent support of vocational and professional education and training (VPET) institutions. Beyond the subvented programmes provided by the Vocational Training Council, we have, in recent years, promoted self-financing institutions, including THEi, through a variety of initiatives that enable their development and provision of quality programmes. These include the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors and the Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies. In the current academic year, THEi offers 12 programmes under the Study Subsidy Scheme, in disciplines such as architecture and engineering, creative industries and computer science. It also provides 28 programmes under the Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme, covering disciplines ranging from the culinary arts and management to fashion design.
 
     In short, self-financing post-secondary institutions now play a significant role in offering and promoting VPET programmes. We are committed to supporting the sustainable development of the self-financing sector, and the Education Bureau is studying in detail the recommendations of a review on self-financing post-secondary education made by a task force led by Professor Anthony Cheung.
 
     We are no less committed to VPET in higher education – to ensuring that our young people can choose from multiple pathways in gaining the education they need for the future they want. VPET is central to those options, not only because of its focus on technical education and practical training. Equally essential is VPET's whole-person development, the IT expertise and innovation it delivers and the soft skills and international exposure it imparts. Last April, my Government set up a Task Force on Promotion of VPET. It has been considering how VPET can better respond to the diverse abilities and interests of our young people, as well as create closer ties with business to meet the manpower needs of Hong Kong through this century of boundless opportunity. Next month, the Task Force will conduct a public consultation on its preliminary recommendations. Roy is the chairman of the task force, so I look to you to provide me with your recommendations after the public consultation.
 
     The grand opening of THEi's new Chai Wan Campus takes us another vital step forward in the development of VPET in higher education and training. I had, just now, a quick tour around the campus, and was impressed by its many purpose-built facilities as well as the public space which will no doubt provide an innovative and sustainable learning environment for the students. I am grateful to all those who have contributed to the development of this dynamic campus. I wish THEi, its students and faculty the best of education and a flourishing future. Thank you very much.

        

     A man and a woman were each sentenced to 60 hours' community service by the Eastern Magistrates' Court today (April 18) for assaulting a Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) officer and obstructing a public officer in execution of duty respectively.

     In addition, the woman defendant was also fined $3,300 for depositing litter in a public place and $1,000 for failure to provide proof of identity without reasonable excuse.

     The court heard that the incident took place on November 1 last year in which the woman refused to co-operate when the FEHD officer tried to issue a fixed penalty notice to her for depositing litter in a public place at Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Eastern District, while the man accompanying her assaulted the officer.

     "To use force against law enforcement officers is inappropriate and also carries legal consequences. Members of the public should co-operate with public officers in execution of their duties," an FEHD spokesman said.
 

     The Government today (April 18) launched the Preparedness and Response Plan for Dengue Fever, which sets out the preparedness and response plan when dengue fever may have a significant public health impact on Hong Kong.

     "The Plan aims to provide a framework for a response system for agreed and co-ordinated efforts among different government departments and relevant organisations with a view to reducing the public health impact of dengue fever on the Hong Kong population," a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said.

     The Plan adopts a three-tier response level system, comprising Alert, Serious and Emergency, with each level representing a graded risk of dengue fever affecting Hong Kong and its health impact on the community. It defines corresponding command structures and public health response measures, and serves as a tool for clear communication of the level of risk to the public.

     "The presence of Aedes albopictus in Hong Kong makes our population vulnerable and there are risks of explosive outbreaks if mosquito control is inadequate. Hence, mosquito control is most important. These considerations would be taken into account on top of the epidemiological situation when activating and deactivating the preparedness and response levels. The Government will assess the risk from time to time in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, activate or deactivate the response level and implement corresponding measures. Relevant agencies and organisations should take note of this Plan in devising their own contingency plans and response measures," the spokesman added.

     Imported cases of dengue fever have occurred frequently in Hong Kong while sporadic local cases have also occurred occasionally. In August 2018, a local outbreak of dengue fever with a total of 29 cases was recorded. As of April 11, CHP had recorded 39 confirmed cases this year, all of which were imported cases.

     "The public should maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel. The public are reminded that eliminating breeding sites for mosquitoes and avoiding mosquito bites are key to preventing dengue fever. The public may refer to the CHP's pages on vector-borne diseases and tips for using insect repellents, and also the health education resources on mosquito control at the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's website, for details," the spokesman said in an appeal to members of the public.

     The Plan has been uploaded to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/govt_preparedness_and_response_plan_for_dengue_fever_en_201904.pdf).

     The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 18) that no additional case of measles infection has been recorded as at 4pm today.

     Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), a total of 30 persons received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 236.

     From tomorrow (April 19) to April 28, the vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 500 doses daily. Vaccination for eligible airport staff will be provided to the following target groups who:

(1) Were born in or after 1967, and have not received two doses of measles vaccination, and have not been infected with measles before, and with evidence of living with infants under 1 year old or living with pregnant women; or

(2) Have laboratory evidence of testing not positive against measles antibody (IgG).

     Details of evidence are as follows:

(a) Supporting documents for living with infants under 1 year old: for example, birth certificate, discharge summary or vaccination card of the infant

(b) Supporting documents for living with pregnant women: for example, positive pregnancy tests or antenatal follow-up cards of the pregnant women

(c) Supporting documents for laboratory evidence: for example, blood results from the DH's measles serology test or any laboratory within the past 12 months

     The venue and operation hours of the airport vaccination station are as follows:
 

     As for the blood test service, the DH will continue to arrange the provision of a measles serology test service for airport staff to identify those who need the measles vaccination. A DH contractor will continue to provide the blood test service for about 200 airport staff who were born in or after 1967 daily from next Tuesday to Thursday (April 23 to 25). The blood test service will be suspended from Friday to Monday. Forty blood samples have been collected today. The DH will notify the participants individually of the serology results.

     The venue and operation hours of the airport blood test station are as follows:
 

     A hotline (2125 1122) has been set up for public enquiries and operates during office hours from Mondays to Fridays. A total of 3 223 enquiries have been received so far. 
 
     "The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals," the spokesman advised.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (April 21) to facilitate a public event to be held in Tai Po.

     The following roads will be closed from 1pm to 4pm:

– Southbound Ting Kok Road between Ting Tai Road and Tai Po Tai Wo Road;
– Eastbound Tai Po Tai Wo Road between Ting Kok Road and On Cheung Road;
– Northbound Po Heung Street between Plover Cove Road and Tai Po Tai Wo Road;
– Westbound Plover Cove Road between Po Heung Street and Tung Cheong Street;
– Po Heung Street between Plover Cove Road and Nam Shing Street;
– Kwong Fuk Road between On Fu Road and Wan Tau Street; and
– Wai Yan Street between On Fu Road and Po Heung Street.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.