Author Archives: hksar gov

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:      Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:      The Marine Department today (February 4) reminde… read more

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tseung Kwan O this morning (February 3) in which an 86-year-old woman died.      At about 8.30am, a public light bus (PLB) driven by a 68-yea… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (February 3) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The case involves a 6-year-old girl with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough and runny nose since January 24. She was admitted to the Hong Kong Sanitorium and Hospital for treatment yesterday (February 2) and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Queen Mary Hospital on the same day for further management.
      
     Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. She is now in a serious condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.
      
     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
       
     “While the percentage that tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses among the respiratory specimens received by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch has slightly decreased in the past week, we expect that the local influenza activity may remain at an elevated level for some time. We urge the community to continue heightening its vigilance against seasonal influenza. As young children are particularly affected in this influenza season, we appeal to parents who have not yet arranged vaccination for their children in this season to do so as soon as possible to strengthen their personal protection,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Apart from children, people aged 50 to 64 years, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses who have not yet received influenza vaccination this season are also urged to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. Medical advice should be sought promptly if influenza-like symptoms develop so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as early as possible to prevent potential complications. Parents and carers are reminded to render assistance in prevention, care and control for vulnerable people.

     Besides receiving seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible for personal protection, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses. For more information, please visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly Flu Express. read more

     During the peak air traffic flow of the Lunar New Year (LNY), the flight movements handled by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) hit new records. Over 2 300 daily flight movements were handled for 11 consecutive days (January 23 to February 2). The CAD handled 2 467 flights yesterday (February 2), setting a new single-day record.

     The previous single-day record of 2 341 flight movements was recorded on August 24, 2017, after Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) resumed flight operation after the passing of Super Typhoon Hato. Entering 2019, the CAD broke the record on January 18 by handling 2 342 flights. In the run-up to the LNY, flight movements handled by the CAD reached new records. The CAD handled 2 359, 2 409 and 2 444 flights on January 24, January 25 and February 1 respectively. A new single-day record of 2 467 flights was set yesterday, including 1 226 flight movements at HKIA and 1 241 overflights (which is also a new record for the highest number of overflights handled).

     Between January 23 to February 2 (the 18th to 28th day of the last Lunar month), the CAD handled about 2 380 flights per day on average (including flight movements at HKIA and overflights), representing an increase of about five per cent when compared with 2 265 flights over the corresponding period a year earlier.

     The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Simon Li, today (February 3) expressed his gratitude to CAD’s air traffic control (ATC) officers who provide professional and efficient ATC service as always despite the heavy work.

     “This year, the number of flights handled by the CAD saw a significant increase around two weeks before the LNY, showing the strong demand for air traffic. The extra flights were mostly operated to destinations in Japan, Korea and the Mainland. The CAD has deployed additional staff to cater for the seasonal demand to maintain safe, smooth and orderly air traffic service during the festive periods,” Mr Li said. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (February 3) that according to the notification of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Authority, the toll-free policy for small passenger vehicles will be implemented on the HZMB for seven consecutive days from 0.00 am on February 4 to midnight on February 10. During the period, small passenger vehicles travelling to Zhuhai or Macao Ports via the Toll Plaza of the HZMB will not be required to pay the toll of RMB150, while the arrangements for small passenger vehicles to pass through the electronic toll lanes (i.e. non-stop) and manual toll lanes (i.e. stop to pay) will remain unchanged. Small passenger vehicles refer to passenger carrying vehicles with seven seats and less (including the driver’s seat), i.e. private cars and hire cars.
 
     The HZMB Main Bridge is located within Mainland waters and the Toll Plaza is also situated in the Mainland. According to the territoriality principle, the HZMB Authority, which is responsible for the operation of the Main Bridge, will implement the Mainland’s nationwide toll-free policy on small passenger vehicles during the Lunar New Year holiday (from February 4 to 10).  
 
     Members of the public are reminded that if they wish to drive their private cars going to or returning from Zhuhai or Macao, the private car must possess a valid HZMB private car regular quota and licences and permits issued by the three governments, or have completed registration of the HZMB Macao Port Park-and-Ride Scheme and obtained a valid permit, including reserving parking spaces for the East Car Park of the HZMB Frontier Post at the Macao Port.
 
     A spokesman for the TD advised that owners of Hong Kong-Guangdong cross-boundary private cars under the regular quota for using other boundary crossings (including Lok Ma Chau (Huanggang), Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen Bay) cannot route through the HZMB to travel to / from Zhuhai during the LNY holiday. The trial arrangement for these vehicles, without additional procedures, to use the HZMB to / from Zhuhai will be implemented in two phases on February 25 and April 29.   read more