The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) announced today (March 13) that operation of all Boeing B737 MAX aircraft into, out of and over Hong Kong will be temporarily prohibited from 6pm today.

     "As stated in our press release issued yesterday (March 12), the CAD has been closely monitoring the developments, the investigation progress and the information from relevant aviation authorities. Having regard to the latest situation, the CAD has decided to temporarily prohibit operation of Boeing B737 MAX aircraft into, out of and over Hong Kong. The temporary prohibition will take effect at 6pm Hong Kong time on March 13 and continue until further notice," a spokesman for the CAD said.

     He pointed out that there were two serious accidents involving B737 MAX aircraft in less than five months and the CAD has noted that the Federation Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA) (the type-certification authority of B737 MAX aircraft) has affirmed the airworthiness of B737 MAX aircraft and the investigation into the accidents is ongoing. Over the past few days, the CAD has been in close contact with the FAA and the relevant organisations (including the two airline companies which use B737 MAX aircraft to operate flights into and out of Hong Kong International Airport).

     "The temporary prohibition is solely a precautionary measure to ensure aviation safety and protect the public," he emphasised.

     Recently, SpiceJet of India and Globus Airlines of Russia have used B737 MAX aircraft to operate flights into and out of Hong Kong International Airport. The CAD has contacted the two airline companies regarding the temporary prohibition. The two companies concerned expressed that they would fully co-operate and maintain their services with other aircraft types so as to reduce impacts on passengers.

     During the temporary prohibition, the CAD will continue to closely monitor the developments and the information of relevant aviation authorities, and will review the arrangement of the temporary prohibition in due course. 

     The CAD will continue to put aviation safety as the top priority.

     The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui, today (March 12, New York time) attended a meeting of the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York.

     As part of the Chinese delegation, Mr Tsui is visiting New York to attend meetings of the UNCSW from March 11 to 14 (New York time), including a ministerial round table on social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality as well as the empowerment of women and girls.

     On the sidelines of the meetings, he officiated at a lunch reception today at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York. He spoke on Hong Kong's experience in women's empowerment, highlighting the Government's multi-pronged strategy and recent policy initiatives to support women in fulfilling family commitments and promoting women's employment.

     Mr Tsui will arrive in Hong Kong in the evening on March 15.

    

     The application period for joining the Bun Scrambling Competition, which is the finale of the 2019 Bun Carnival, will end next Wednesday (March 20). Physically fit climbers aged 18 or above should seize the chance to join.

     The selection contest, to be held on April 21, will be divided into two rounds as in previous years. Twenty-four contestants recording the shortest time from the preliminary round, including no fewer than six female participants, will be eligible to enter the semi-final, during which they will compete for the 12 finalist places.

     The 12 finalists, comprising no fewer than three female participants, will be shortlisted in the selection exercise to enter the Bun Scrambling Competition to be held from 11.30pm on May 12 to 12.45am on May 13. Trophies will be awarded to the champion and the first and second runners-up in the men's division and the champion in the women's division. The contestant who bags the most buns within the specified time will be the prize winner of "Full Pockets of Lucky Buns".

     To acknowledge the outstanding achievement of the winners and make the event more appealing, any male or female athlete who has won the first prize three times in the Bun Scrambling Competition from 2016 will become the "King of Kings" or the "Queen of Queens" of the competition and be awarded a trophy.

     The maximum number of entrants for the Bun Scrambling Competition is 200. If the applications received exceed the quota, places will be allocated by ballot. Applicants who live, work or study on Cheung Chau will have priority in the ballot. All selected applicants are required to complete the safety training sessions on bun tower climbing and prevention of falls on April 14 before they are eligible for the competition.

     Prospectuses and enrolment forms for the Bun Scrambling Competition are now available at any District Leisure Services Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), and any sports centre in the Islands District. They can also be obtained from the LCSD website at www.lcsd.gov.hk.

     Completed enrolment forms should be returned by hand or by post to the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD at Room 622, 6/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong, or by fax to 2854 3949, on or before March 20.

     The 2019 Bun Carnival is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the LCSD. Besides the Bun Scrambling Competition, the Climbing Carnival to be held on May 4 will comprise bun tower climbing relay competitions, a bun tower climbing fun day, game stalls, handicrafts and variety shows. A Wishing Bun Tower will be set up and winning works of the Student Colouring and Drawing Competitions will be displayed. Members of the public are welcome to join the carnival on the spot.

     For enquiries, please contact the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD on 2852 3220, or visit the LCSD website.

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk entitled "Infection control in the workplace" on March 20 (Wednesday) for employees who may come into contact with pathogenic bacteria and viruses in the workplace. The talk will explain how micro-organisms enter the human body and affect people's health. The concept of infection control in the workplace will also be covered. It will be held at 3pm in Activity Room 1, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay.
      
     The LD will hold another talk entitled "Prevention of lower limb disorders" on March 28 (Thursday). The talk will introduce the symptoms, treatment and preventive measures of common lower limb disorders including plantar fasciitis, varicose veins and osteoarthritis of the knee. Demonstration and practice of workplace exercise will also be included. It will be held at 2.30pm in the lecture room of Fanling Occupational Health Clinic (7/F, Fanling Health Centre, 2 Pik Fung Road, Fanling).
      
     Both talks will be given by the LD's occupational health nurse in Cantonese. Admission is free. For enquiries or registration, please call 2852 4040.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter 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.