The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met members of the University Grants Committee (UGC) at Government House today (January 11) to exchange views on issues including the UGC's efforts in nurturing talents and promoting research work in the funded universities so as to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness and address the city's strategic needs. 

     She expressed her gratitude to some 20 local and non-local experts on the UGC under the leadership of the Chairman, Mr Carlson Tong, for their valuable advice to the Government on allocation of funding to the funded universities and the strategic development of higher education in Hong Kong. Recognising their solid foundation in academia and innovation and technology (I&T), Mrs Lam said she was confident that the UGC-funded universities would play a key role in contributing to the development of Hong Kong as a global I&T hub. 

     Mrs Lam reiterated that the Government's expenditure on education would be the most meaningful investment for Hong Kong's future and stressed the Government's commitment to supporting I&T development. She announced in the 2018 Policy Address the decision to accept in full the recommendations made by the Task Force on Review of Research Policy and Funding led by Professor Tsui Lap-chee under the UGC and has specifically pledged funding to implement new initiatives to strengthen the research capacity of Hong Kong, including a $20 billion injection into the Research Endowment Fund and the launch of a $3 billion Research Matching Grant Scheme, as well as to support the establishment of three new research fellowship schemes under the Research Grants Council. 

     Mr Tong thanked the Government for its favourable response to the needs of higher education with concrete support and substantial resources for the UGC-funded sector in the past year. The UGC will continue to work closely with the Government, universities and stakeholders to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a leading regional education hub, he said. 

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a female Medical Ward, the spokesperson for Tung Wah Eastern Hospital made the following announcement today (January 11):
 
     One more 91-year-old female patient's test result was confirmed positive for Influenza A (H3) yesterday (January 10). The patient has been discharged upon recovery.
 
     Admission to the ward concerned will continue to be suspended and infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for New Territories West Cluster made the following announcement today (January 11):
 
     Four patients (aged 60 to 72) and a staff member in a female forensic psychiatric ward in Castle Peak Hospital presented with respiratory symptoms since January 7. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Influenza A (H1). The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable condition. The staff member has recovered and resumed duty.
 
     Furthermore, regarding the earlier announcement by Siu Lam Hospital on a cluster of patients infected with Parainfluenza Virus Type 2 in a male ward for severe intellectual disability, one more 60-year-old patient in the ward presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test results were positive for Parainfluenza Virus Type 2. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Admission to the wards concerned in the two hospitals has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the wards are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements on Hong Kong Island on January 14 (Monday) to facilitate the holding of the Ceremonial Opening of Legal Year 2019.

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented between 6am and 11.59pm:       
     
Road closure
————

– Northern section of Edinburgh Place north of City Hall; and

– Western kerbside lane of eastern section of northbound Edinburgh Place between City Hall Car Park and the northern section of Edinburgh Place.

Traffic diversions
——————

     Traffic along northbound Edinburgh Place cannot turn left to westbound Edinburgh Place.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (January 13) to facilitate a public order event to be held on Hong Kong Island.

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 4am to 11.15am:
     
Road closure
————

1. Part of the slow lane of southbound Man Yiu Street;
2. Yiu Sing Street;
3. Lung Wo Road, except the slow lane of westbound Lung Wo Road between Tim Wa Avenue and Edinburgh Place;
4. The general pick-up/drop-off and loading/unloading area on Lung Wo Road north of Star Ferry Multi-Storey Car Park;
5. Road A2;
6. Eastbound Road P2;
7. Northbound Road D11;
8. Legislative Council Road, except for vehicles heading to Legislative Complex;
9. The slow lane of eastbound Lung Wui Road; and
10. The fast lane of northbound Edinburgh Place east of City Hall.

Traffic diversions
——————

1. Traffic along southbound Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to Lung Wo Road;
2. Traffic along southbound Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to Yiu Sing Street;
3. Traffic along eastbound Man Cheung Street cannot enter Lung Wo Road and will be diverted via Man Yiu Street;
4. Traffic along eastbound Man Po Street cannot enter Yiu Sing Street and will be diverted via Man Yiu Street;
5. Traffic along northbound Edinburgh Place east of City Hall cannot enter Lung Wo Road;
6. Traffic along eastbound Lung Wui Road cannot enter westbound Lung Wo Road;
7. Traffic along westbound Fenwick Pier Street cannot enter westbound Lung Wo Road; and
8. Traffic along eastbound Lung Wo Road heading for Lung Wui Road will be diverted via southbound Man Yiu Street, eastbound Connaught Place, southbound Connaught Place, eastbound Connaught Road Central, eastbound Harcourt Road and northbound Tim Mei Avenue.

Suspension of parking spaces
—————————-

     All motorcycle parking spaces at general pick-up/drop-off and loading/unloading area on Lung Wo Road north of Star Ferry Multi-Storey Car Park will be suspended.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts mentioned above will be towed away without prior warning.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.