Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 1) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
 
     From March 24 to 30, one community-acquired LD case was reported. The male patient, aged 65 with underlying illnesses, lives in Shenzhen.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of March 30, 15 LD cases had been reported in 2019. In 2018 and 2017, there were 105 and 72 cases respectively.
 
     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
•  

     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.  read more

     The Inland Revenue Department today (April 1) issued about 190 000 profits tax returns, 130 000 property tax returns and 310 000 employer’s returns for the year of assessment 2018-19.

     About 2.68 million tax returns for individuals will be issued on May 2.

     In this year’s Budget, the Financial Secretary proposed a one-off reduction of 75 per cent of profits tax, salaries tax and tax under personal assessment for 2018-19, subject to a ceiling of $20,000. Upon enactment of the relevant legislation, the department will effect the tax reduction in this year’s tax bills.

     “Individuals with rental income, if eligible, can enjoy the reduction by electing personal assessment. They can make the choice when completing their 2018-19 tax returns for individuals,” a spokesman for the department said.

     Given the legislative amendments to the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap 112) in 2018 (including the implementation of a two-tiered profits tax rates regime, transfer pricing rules and concessionary tax deductions), and the obligation to monitor the preferential regimes pursuant to the requirements of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, certain taxpayers are required to file supplementary forms to profits tax returns from the year of assessment 2018/19 onwards.

     The two-tiered profits tax rates regime is implemented from the year of assessment 2018-19. The profits tax rate for the first $2 million of assessable profits of corporations and unincorporated businesses will be lowered to 8.25 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively while profits above that amount will continue to be subject to the respective rates of 16.5 per cent and 15 per cent. For connected entities, the two-tiered rates will only be applicable to one entity nominated among them. Taxpayers are required to state whether they are chargeable at the two-tiered rates, and for taxpayers having any connected entities, they are required to provide a complete list of connected entities carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong in the specified supplementary form.

     The department encourages taxpayers to use the convenient and easy-to-use services under eTAX. As in the past, an eTAX account holder can file through the Internet his property tax return in respect of a property owned by him and another person. Filers of employer’s returns can sign through their own eTAX account and submit the annual employer’s return with not more than 800 IR56B records. Employers with not more than 30 IR56B records may also choose to complete and submit IR56B directly online. Precedent partners of partnerships and directors, secretaries or managers of corporations holding eTAX accounts can also file profits tax returns for their businesses through their eTAX account.

     “Using eTAX services is simple. Any registered taxpayer can log in to eTAX with his Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) designated for eTAX login and the eTAX password registered with the department or his digital certificate issued by a recognised certification authority,” the spokesman said.

     If a taxpayer/filer of an employer’s return has not yet registered for eTAX or has forgotten the password, he can open an eTAX account or apply for a new password at www.gov.hk/etax. They can choose their own TIN and password for login when they open their eTAX account.

     Starting from this year, employers may choose to upload the IR56B data file through the new Mixed Mode submission service of the employer’s return e-filing services. The filer of an employer’s return only needs to sign and submit the paper annual return together with the duly signed control list (with Transaction Reference Number and QR code) generated from the system to complete the submission process. To assist employers to prepare the IR56B records, a new web-based IR56 Forms Preparation Tool has also been introduced.

     Taxpayers/filers of employer’s returns can visit the department’s website at www.ird.gov.hk for common questions and answers on how to complete tax returns. Taxpayers/employers are reminded to file their properly completed tax returns on time. To facilitate the distribution and processing of returns received by the department, the employers can send the employer’s returns back to the designated PO Box printed on the top right hand corner of their returns (BIR56A). If tax returns are delivered to the department by post, sufficient postage should be paid to ensure timely and successful delivery. Please note that the current postage for local small letters weighing 30 grams or less is $2. Taxpayers can visit Hongkong Post’s website at www.hongkongpost.hk for the postage rates.

     Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the department. Mail items addressed to the department without sufficient postage will be returned by Hongkong Post to the sender, who will be charged with the deficiency plus a surcharge. Mail items without a return address will be disposed of by Hongkong Post in accordance with the established procedures for handling undeliverable mail. For proper delivery of tax documents to the department, please ensure the mail items bear sufficient postage before posting. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (Ap… read more

     The Labour Department will hold a seminar on the Minimum Wage Ordinance at 10.30am on April 30 (Tuesday) at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay. Enrolment is now open.

     The main provisions of the Minimum Wage Ordinance including the requirement of the new Statutory Minimum Wage rate of $37.50 per hour effective from May 1 as well as family-friendly employment practices will be introduced. Employers, employees and human resource practitioners are welcome to attend.

     The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese and admission is free. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The enrolment deadline is April 23. The enrolment form can be downloaded from the department’s website (www.labour.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call 2852 3861. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 1) that due to big wa… read more