Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Government announced today (February 11) that the Chief Executive in Council has approved to proceed with switching off analogue television services (ASO) on November 30, 2020 (11.59pm). Hong Kong will enter an era of full digital TV broadcasting on December 1, 2020 (00.00 hours).

     “It is a worldwide trend to switch off analogue TV broadcasting. Not only does digital terrestrial television (DTT) outperform analogue TV in terms of picture quality, but most critically the spectrum currently being used for analogue TV broadcasting should be vacated to meet the increasing demand for high value-added mobile telecommunications services,” the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said.

     “Taking into account factors such as the current DTT penetration rate, the coverage of the DTT network and the supply of relevant products in the market, we confirm that implementing the ASO in late-2020 is the right time,” he said.

     Mr Yau said the Government planned to make available a total of 160 MHz spectrum in the 600/700MHz bands to enhance indoor hotspots and the network capacity of indoor mobile telecommunications services after the ASO, which would help relieve congested traffic indoor mobile hotspots, such as MTR stations.

     “This is conducive to support overall telecommunications services as well as Hong Kong’s telecommunications and smart city development,” he added.

     According to the result of a study conducted in 2017, nearly 90 per cent (more than 2.2 million) of households in Hong Kong had already switched to DTT as of late-2017, representing a very high level of DTT penetration, while about 180 000 households were still receiving analogue TV broadcasting.

     “For most Hong Kong residents, their access to free TV services would not be disrupted after the ASO. For the remaining analogue TV users, we encourage them to get prepared in the coming 21 months or so. To access to DTT services, they can switch to a digital TV set, or add a set-top box if their old TV set is still functioning well,” Mr Yau said.

      “We also care about those needy and elderly families that are still using analogue TVs. They may need subsidies to buy digital TV sets. We plan to seek funding from the Community Care Fund in the middle of this year to launch a DTT Assistance Scheme to subsidise eligible households to purchase a set-top box or a basic model digital TV set,” Mr Yau added.

     Mr Yau said that the Government’s initial thinking is to tie the eligibility of the Scheme to some of the existing Government assistance programmes. In order to streamline procedures, households that are currently receiving such Government assistance will not be required to go through additional means testing. Low-income families not receiving any Government assistance may also apply for the Scheme. Details of the Scheme will be announced later this year when funding from the Community Care Fund is approved.

     “We plan to launch the Scheme by end of this year or early next year. About 160 000 low-income families, of which 25 per cent are estimated to be elderly households, will stand to benefit. We will keep the procedures as simple as possible to facilitate applications,” he said.

     In the next 21 months or so, the Government will launch a series of promotions in phases to remind analogue TV users to allow sufficient time to switch to a digital TV set or add a set-top box. For details about full digital TV broadcasting, please visit the dedicated digital TV website (digitaltv.gov.hk), or call the Communications and Creative Industries Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau at 3655 5618 for enquiries. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

        Located at On Muk Street in Shek Mun, Sha Tin, three of the four domestic blocks at Shek Mun Estate Phase II began residential intake today (February 11). The intake of the last remaining block is expected to take place later this year. This shows the continuous efforts of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) to provide affordable rental housing to eligible low-income families with housing needs.
    
        “The three domestic blocks that commenced intake today are Fung Shek House, San Shek House and Sui Shek House, while the one to be completed is Hi Shek House. These non-standard blocks are 31 storeys, 38 storeys, 39 storeys and 45 storeys in height respectively, providing a total of about 3 000 Public Rental Housing (PRH) units for about 8 700 residents,” a spokesman for the HA said. 
 
        Shek Mun Estate offers a number of recreational facilities including children’s playgrounds, multi-purpose courts, basketball courts, badminton courts and table-tennis tables. In addition, there will be a community farm for residents’ use.

        Eateries and a wet market at Shek Mun Shopping Centre, parking spaces, a child care centre and a kindergarten are expected to be available later this year to cater to the daily needs of residents.

        Shek Mun Estate Phase II is adjacent to Phase I and MTR Shek Mun Station, with covered walkways for residents’ convenient access to facilities within and outside of the estate.
 
        Once completed, Shek Mun Estate Phase II will offer around 5 000 PRH units for about 13 500 residents.

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     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, February 11, 2019 is 103.8 (same as last Saturday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, February 9, 2019 is 103.8 (same as last Friday’s index). read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 11) 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 February 3 to 9, one community-acquired LD case was reported. The female patient, aged 82 with underlying illnesses, lives in Yat Man House, Ho Man Tin Estate, Ho Man Tin.

     “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 February 9, three 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 the 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 Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, will leave for Dublin, Ireland, in the early hours tomorrow (February 12) to attend the 4th European Financial Forum (EFF) to promote Hong Kong’s strengths as an international financial centre and forge closer financial collaboration with Ireland.
 
      To be held on February 13, the theme of this year’s EFF is “Policies and Business Models for a Changing Financial Landscape”. Mr Lau will attend the opening session and deliver a closing keynote speech on Hong Kong’s strengths as well as how it can help global enterprises capture opportunities in Hong Kong and the Mainland of China amid the changing financial landscape.
 
      During his stay in Dublin, Mr Lau will meet with senior government officials of Ireland and key personnel of the Irish Central Bank and Stock Exchange to share views on efforts to create an enabling environment for financial developments.
 
     Mr Lau will also visit global aircraft leasing companies headquartered in Dublin and meet with leading figures in the sector to exchange views on the latest developments in the aircraft leasing market.
 
     In addition he will meet with representatives of the local financial technology (Fintech) industry to foster Fintech collaboration with Ireland.
 
     Mr Lau will return to Hong Kong in the morning of Friday (February 15). During his absence, the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, will act as Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. read more