Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) officers intercepted a Mainland vessel suspected of engaging in illegal fishing in Deep Bay today (November 23).
 
     The AFCD officers intercepted a Mainland vessel suspected to be carrying out illegal fishing activities in the waters near Sheung Pak Nai at about 2am today. Some catch and fishing gear including snake cages were seized on board.
 
     Charges were laid today against one Mainland man and one Mainland woman found on the vessel. They were suspected to have engaged in fishing activities which are against the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171)  (the Ordinance). They will appear at Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (November 24).
    
     According to the Ordinance, only a registered vessel can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters. Regardless of the type of fishing gear used, a non-local vessel is not allowed to carry out fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. Any offender on conviction is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
     An AFCD spokesman said, "The Government is committed to cracking down on illegal fishing activities. The AFCD will continue to step up patrols and stringently enforce the law, and at the same time maintain close liaison with relevant law enforcement departments and carry out joint enforcement operations as necessary."

  

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (November 25) to facilitate a public event to be held in Central.

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 5am to 11am:

A. Road closure

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

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along southbound Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to Lung Wo Road;
– Traffic along southbound Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to Yiu Sing Street;
– Traffic along eastbound Man Cheung Street cannot enter Lung Wo Road.  Affected vehicles will be diverted via Man Yiu Street;
– Traffic along eastbound Man Po Street cannot enter Yiu Sing Street. Affected vehicles will be diverted via Man Yiu Street;
– Traffic along northbound Edinburgh Place east of Hong Kong City Hall cannot enter Lung Wo Road;
– Traffic along eastbound Lung Wui Road cannot enter westbound Lung Wo Road;
– Traffic along westbound Fenwick Pier Street cannot enter westbound Lung Wo Road; and
– Affected vehicles on 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.

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

     All vehicles parked illegally will be towed away without prior notice.

     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.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 23) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a kindergarten-cum-child care centre in Kwai Chung, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak affected 14 boys and 10 girls, aged 2 to 4, who have developed fever, oral ulcers, rash and vesicles over hands or feet since November 16. All of them sought medical attention and one required hospitalisation but was discharged after treatment. All patients are in a stable condition.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.

     "HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "HFMD occurs throughout the year. While the disease activity is usually higher from May to July, a smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

 
     The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.

    Regarding the issue of the Hung Hom Station Extension works under the Shatin to Central Link project, the Highways Department (HyD) received a holistic proposal from the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) this afternoon (November 23).
     
     Since the MTRCL could not provide sufficient actual construction records, including the working drawings adopted during the construction period, to verify the condition, works quality and structural safety of the platform and diaphragm wall of the Hung Hom Station Extension, the Government has requested the MTRCL to formulate a holistic strategy for assessing the acceptability of the built structures.
     
     All relevant government departments will conduct a detailed review on the holistic proposal submitted by the MTRCL and will request the MTRCL to provide further information if necessary. Upon completion of the review and confirmation of acceptance of the proposal, the Government will make the holistic proposal public.

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, today (November 23) visited Tuen Mun District, where he met with local District Council members and visited an elderly centre.

     Accompanied by the Acting District Officer (Tuen Mun), Miss Jenny Yip, Mr Wong first met with the Chairman of the Tuen Mun District Council, Mr Leung Kin-man, and local District Council members to exchange views on district matters and residents' issues of concern.

     He then proceeded to Tuen Mun San Hui with Mr Leung and the Vice Chairman, Mr Lothar Lee, to gain a better understanding of its latest developments.

     Mr Wong later visited the Yan Oi Tong Woo Chung District Elderly Community Centre. He was briefed on services provided by the centre, including a health care project with application of cloud technology, encouraging participation by the elderly in volunteer training and voluntary work and offering courses for elderly people to acquire new knowledge and skills.
 
     Mr Wong toured the facilities of the centre. He also chatted with the elderly there to learn about their daily lives and listened to them discuss their experiences in joining the various activities of the centre.