The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (December 23) appealed to members of the public to keep venues clean and mind their safety while celebrating Christmas.

     The LCSD will work with other government departments to implement a series of measures over Christmas (December 24 to 26) to maintain cleanliness and safety at LCSD venues, especially at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza, Salisbury Garden, the 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.

     An LCSD spokesman said, "Our staff, together with law enforcement teams of relevant departments, will step up patrols at our venues in the Tsim Sha Tsui area and take action against littering, illegal hawking and vandalism of public property. Those who litter will be liable to a fine of $1,500.

     "In crowded areas, people should remain calm and take care 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 holidays.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Please come and donate blood this Christmas and New Year holidays as your donations are needed more than ever to tackle the winter shortage in blood supply. Help us stock up the blood bank to support patients in need.
 
     The cooler weather has reduced people's inclination to give blood. The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) recorded a low level of blood collection starting this winter, and the O+ blood type has been in acute inventory shortage since early December.
 
     Cold weather during Christmas and New Year holidays will cause illness, putting even greater pressure on blood bank.
 
     Most BTS' donor centres are open during the Christmas and New Year holidays. For further details please refer to the table below, or visit www.ha.org.hk/rcbt, or use the mobile app "HK Blood" or call 2710 1234.
 
     As a token of thanks, all successful blood donors will receive an "I'm a Blood Donor" luggage scale while stock lasts.
 
     Donate blood now!
 
     Download "HK Blood" to locate your nearest donor centre:
IOS: itunes.apple.com/hk/app/hk-blood/id1387423207?mt=8
Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hk.org.ha.btsmapps&rdid=hk.org.ha.btsmapps

     Opening Hours of Donor Centres during Christmas & New Year Holidays:
 

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 23) announces that 12 general out-patient clinics (see table below) will remain open during the Christmas holidays on December 25 and 26. Members of the public are reminded to make advance booking through the telephone system as usual for an appointment. A public hospital emergency physician also reminds the public to refrain from excessive drinking during festive celebrations. 

     The HA spokesperson said the public could call the HA Infoline (2882 4866) for information on holiday general out-patient clinic service. They can also browse the website of Primary Care Directory of the Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk, or download its mobile App to find an appropriate family doctor and his service hours.

     With the approach of Christmas, HA consultant emergency physician Dr Lau Chu-leung reminds the public to refrain from excessive drinking. "Excessive drinking may result in adverse health condition and alcohol hangover. Alcohol will be decomposed by liver enzymes into acetaldehyde which is a toxic metabolite. Acetaldehyde accumulated to a certain level in blood will cause adverse reactions such as rapid heartbeat, headache, vomiting, impaired concentration, anxiety and depression. Excessive alcohol may also result in alcohol intoxication, which is life-threatening."

     Dr Lau appeals to the public to avoid driving after drinking or when having alcohol hangover to prevent injuries from traffic accidents.

     With the approach of the influenza season, he also reminds the public on the good personal hygiene habits such as covering the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, maintain hand hygiene, and wear a mask when having symptoms of respiratory infections to avoid further spread of the disease. The general public is also advised to receive seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible to protect themselves and others. People travelling outside Hong Kong are reminded to avoid contacting birds or poultry, and to disclose their travel history to healthcare staff when seeking medical consultation.
 

 
Consultation Hours:
 
December 25 and 26
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (December 23).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The Reusable Tableware Lending Programme, launched earlier this month, targets organisers of large scale events.

     News.gov.hk interviewed the organiser of the YMT Festival 2018, one of the events which joined the programme, and diners at the festival's poon choi feast, to see how it helps reduce waste and the use of disposable tableware.

     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (December 23) in text and video format.