Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 19) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

Sex	Male
Age	28
Affected area involved	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
High-risk exposure	Camel ride
Hospital	Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Condition	Stable
MERS-Coronavirus preliminary test result	Pending

     “Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV),” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP’s surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed relevant symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, went to Yuen Long District this afternoon (March 19) to visit Hung Fuk Estate as well as a refuse collection point (RCP) and the site of a proposed refuse collection and recycling facility, both located nearby. He also called at the Yuen Long District Council (YLDC) and Kam Tin Glocal Cultural Hub to meet with members of the YLDC and young people respectively.

     Accompanied by the Vice Chairman of the YLDC, Mr Wong Wai-shun, and the District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Enoch Yuen, Mr Wong first met with YLDC members to listen to their views on the Government’s environmental policies and exchange views on district environmental issues.

     Mr Wong then departed for Hung Fuk Estate to understand its design features. The public housing estate is the first in the Hung Shui Kiu district, and the rural characteristics of the area have been conserved in the estate and the overall greening ratio has reached 30 per cent. The estate has won a number of architectural awards including the Grand Award under the New Buildings Category – Residential Building of the 2016 Hong Kong Green Building Award.

     Afterwards, Mr Wong went to the proposed site for a complex with a reprovisioned RCP and a community recycling centre (CRC). The CRC will be set up on the second floor, making the complex the first of its kind to incorporate an RCP and a floor for recycling facilities. Mr Wong also paid a visit to the easy-throw aluminium RCP operated by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on Ma Fung Ling Road. The RCP, with openings located at the external wall, enables the public to dispose of refuse without entering the facility. A solar illumination system with motion sensors is installed and the brightness level only increases when motion is sensed in order to make good use of renewable energy and maximise energy efficiency.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Wong called at Kam Tin Glocal Cultural Hub to learn more about its facilities and the services it provides. He also chatted with young people at the hub who have participated in a barista training course, and encouraged them to apply what they learn and contribute to the sustainable development of Hong Kong by incorporating green ideas in daily life. read more

     A woman was fined $8,000 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (March 19) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
      
     The courts heard that in July last year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club on Hennessy Road in Wan Chai which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC).
      
     The OLA officers found that the exit route had been obstructed. The staff also failed to show the registered drawings upon the OLA officers’ request. Conditions 12 and 17 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

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by China CITIC Bank International Limited on a fraudul… read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (March 19) the preliminary figures of chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by economic activity for the fourth quarter of 2018 and the whole year of 201… read more