Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Cold Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Cold Weather Warning is in force, they should take appropriate precautions such as reminding employees who have to work outdoors or in remote areas to wear appropriately warm clothing, and make arrangements for employees to rotate from outdoor to indoor or sheltered work sites as far as possible. Employees should take note of the weather report, wear appropriately warm clothing and be mindful of their health conditions. They should notify their supervisors and seek medical help immediately if feeling unwell, such as having cold limbs and body shivering.

     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 2 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.2 million at Hong Kong International Airport on December 27 and yesterday (December 29).

     A 41-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa on December 27. The man was found to be suspicious upon Customs clearance and was escorted to hospital for examination. The man later discharged about 1.2 kilograms of suspected cocaine. He was then arrested by Customs officers.

     He was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 31).

     Also, a 28-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Dubai, United Arab Emirates yesterday. During Customs clearance, the man discharged a pellet of suspected cocaine. He was then arrested. The man further discharged about 800 grams of suspected cocaine later. Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     A newspaper published today (December 30) a report on the award of contract for Kai Tak Sports Park by the Government in which it claimed that the Chairman of the New World Development Company Limited, Dr Henry Cheng, was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) in the first Honours List announced by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, after she assumed office. A spokesman for the Government stated that such report is untrue, and expressed deep regret over the misrepresentation therein.
 
     The spokesman said that the award of GBM to Dr Cheng was published on June 30, 2017 in the 2017 Honours List during the tenure of the last term Government. The Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee responsible for the shortlisting of nominations for honours and awards was at the time chaired by Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung in his capacity as the Chief Secretary for Administration. The nominations were then recommended by the Selection Committee to the then Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung. Mrs Carrie Lam announced her first Honours List in her tenure as the Chief Executive on July 1, 2018.

     In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary shelters today (December 30) for people in need of the service.
 
     The temporary shelters will remain open during the daytime tomorrow (December 31) when the cold weather warning is still in force.
 
     To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donation items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.
 
     Anyone seeking temporary refuge or with any questions about the donation arrangement in the cold shelters may call the department's hotline 2835 1473 for more information.
 
     The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
——————–
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex, 2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan 

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories:
—————-
  
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun 

Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (December 30) appealed to members of the public to keep venues clean and mind their safety while celebrating New Year's Eve.

     The LCSD will work with other government departments to implement a series of measures on New Year's Eve to maintain cleanliness and safety at LCSD venues including Tamar Park, Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza, Salisbury Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Middle Road Children's Playground, Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden and Urban Council Centenary Garden, where large crowds are expected to participate for countdown and celebration activities.

     An LCSD spokesman said, "Our staff, together with the law enforcement teams of relevant departments, will step up patrols and take action against littering, illegal hawking and vandalism of public property.

     "People are urged to keep places clean and tidy while celebrating New Year's Eve. Defacing and damaging public property is prohibited at all venues. People should take away all their belongings when departing the venues and should not leave trash behind. Those who litter will be liable to a fine of $1,500.

     "In crowded areas, people should remain calm and be mindful of their own safety," he added.

     Meanwhile, the Avenue of Stars has been cordoned off due to major repair and improvement works. Notices have been posted to remind members of the public not to enter the cordoned area.

     The public announcement systems at the HKCC will also broadcast anti-littering and crowd management messages in Cantonese, Putonghua and English on a regular basis during the holiday.