The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 30) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places of visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.    

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 800 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $2.1 million and a duty potential of about $1.5 million at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday (September 29).

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying vegetables at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday evening. After inspection, Customs officers found the suspected illicit cigarettes in 195 foam boxes mix-loaded with 145 boxes of vegetables onboard the truck.

     The 69-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck was detained. Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against illicit cigarette activities during the National Day Golden Week period to protect government revenue.

     Smuggling is a serious offence.  Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

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

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (October 2) to consider eight applications for renewal or transfer of liquor licences.

     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Hong Kong:
——–
Winstons Coffee in Kennedy Town
Chachawan and YARDBIRD in Sheung Wan
Figaro and Pampas Argentinian Steak House in Central
 
Kowloon:
——–
LASA in Mong Kok
House and OLE in Sham Shui Po
 
     The board will also consider revoking the liquor licence of Smokey Ice in Mong Kok.
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend, except during the private session on confidential items.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (September 30) appealed to members of the public to keep places clean and mind their safety while watching the National Day Fireworks Display on October 1.

     The LCSD, together with the law enforcement teams of other relevant departments, will strengthen patrols at LCSD venues. Measures will be stepped up to tackle littering, illegal hawking and vandalism.

     These venues include the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, the Urban Council Centenary Garden, Middle Road Children's Playground, the Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden, the Hung Hom Promenade and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park along the Kowloon waterfront, as well as Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island.

     A spokesman for the LCSD said that littering offenders will be subject to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Members of the public should take away their belongings while leaving the venues and put trash into litter box. Publicity materials reminding members of the public to keep places clean will be displayed at the venues while additional cleaning staff and security guards will also be deployed.

     The spokesman also reminded people that the above-mentioned venues will be very crowded during the fireworks display. For public safety, crowd management measures will be implemented in some venues. Visitors are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of on-site staff and police instructions.

     Meanwhile, in the wake of the adverse impact brought about by Tropical Cyclone Mangkhut which has led to various levels of damage to the facilities and trees at many LCSD venues, the department is making great efforts to conduct clearance and repair work and members of the public are advised not to go near or enter the cordoned-off areas in these venues for the sake of safety.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (October 1).

     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.